Since the Mayflower first docked on the shores of what would become Plymouth Rock, America’s story has been one of immigrants and builders. From the earliest settlers to the waves of immigrants who followed, each group brought with them dreams of a better life and a determination to build something greater than themselves. They constructed the cities that dot the map, laid the railroad tracks that connected coast to coast, and forged the backbone of America’s infrastructure. This heritage of immigrant labor is ingrained in the fabric of the nation’s construction industry.
Generations of workers have toiled to construct the buildings and bridges that define our skylines. Yet, as we stand on the brink of a new era–facing a modern immigration crisis1, crumbling infrastructure2, and a shortage of skilled and willing labor3–the complex interplay between immigration policies and the needs of American industry presents both challenges and opportunities.
Understanding the Issues
The U.S. construction industry has historically relied heavily on immigrant labor to meet the demands of a growing nation. From the Irish and Chinese immigrants who built the transcontinental railroad to the Mexican and Central American immigrants who form a significant portion of today’s construction workforce, immigrants have played a vital role in shaping America’s built environment. The hard work, determination, and skill of these immigrant workers have been essential in con structing the infrastructure that drives our economy and connects our communities.
In the years following World War II, thousands of American-born citizens joined labor unions to support their families through blue-collar jobs. As older generations retire, however, America now finds itself facing a growing number of challenges in the workforce. Compounded by factors such as an aging workforce and a lack of interest among young Americans5, construction companies across the country are struggling to find skilled workers to fill essential roles6. These shortages directly result in project delays, increased costs, and slowed economic growth7.
In addition to the skilled labor shortage, the industry faces increasing demand for construction projects driven by population growth, urbanization, and the need to update aging infrastructure. In August of 2022, Congress passed the “Build Back Better” plan, which allocated over $190 billion to renovate and reconstruct America’s aging highways, bridges, and railways8.
Unfortunately, there aren’t enough laborers in the construction industry to meet those demands, let alone all the residential and commercial work currently in the market9.These challenges are further complicated by the cyclical nature of the construction industry, which is highly sensitive to fluctuations in the economy. As such, f inding a sustainable solution to the labor shortage is essential for ensuring the continued growth and prosper ity of the construction sector.
At the Intersection of Politics and Construction
As immigration policies have tightened in recent years, the flow of immigrant labor into the construction sector has slowed, exacerbating an already dire labor shortage. What hasn’t slowed, however, is the flow of immigrants into the United States. The United States Border Patrol (USBP) reported that as of November 30, over 3.2 million immigrants were encountered entering the country illegally. Since 2020, the reported number is well over 9 million.
This number only reports those who are encountered and processed by USBP. A substantial portion of these individuals come into the country fleeing poor living conditions and looking for work. Upon apprehension, they are processed and detained, which can take months and is entirely funded by U.S. taxpayers. Many remain in the country without legal authorization to work, while their living expenses are similarly funded by tax dollars.
This unorganized system and its monumental costs— commonly referred to as the “border crisis”—has become one of the most divisive and costly political issues of the last several years, and yet no resolution from either party has been presented.
The intersection of politics and the construction industry is a complex one. Immigration policy, in particular, has become a highly politicized issue, with competing interests and ideologies shaping the debate and corrupting what little data is available. However, it is essential to recognize that immigration policy directly affects the construction sector and, by extension, the entire U.S. economy.
Many on the right wing of American politics see immigrants as “stealing jobs” from law-abiding citizens, while those on the left argue that refugees seeking asylum shouldn’t be forced to work. The truth is that those jobs are simply not being filled by natural-born American citizens, and the taxpayers cannot be expected to support millions of individuals who enter the country illegally.
By engaging constructively with policymakers and advocating for policies that support a vibrant and diverse workforce, the construction industry can help shape a more sustainable and prosperous future for all Americans.
Moving Forward: Building Collaborative Solutions
Under current U.S. border policy, immigrants caught illegally entering the country are being detained and processed at a significant cost. After processing, most are transferred to “sanctuary cities,” where sympathetic governments house and support millions of immigrants each year.
I propose that, if they are willing and physically capable of working, adult immigrants be given a chance to join blue-collar industries (including construction, agriculture, manufacturing, etc.) and be fast-tracked through the immigration process as a reward. To pay for their processing and training costs, additional taxes could be imposed on their wages. This solution would meet the growing need for labor, reduce the strain of supporting millions of immigrants, and ease the process of tracking and processing undocumented individuals.
Obviously, this is a simplistic solution to a complex political issue. However, if these new policies were adopted, the American government would save billions a year, the economy would be boosted by the creation of more jobs, taxable income, and living wages for mil lions of immigrants. Upon completing the immigration process, these individuals would have marketable skills necessary to earn a livable wage and be well-equipped to succeed here in the United States.
The U.S. construction industry’s reliance on immigrant labor underscores the profound impact of current immigration policies on our economic trajectory. By addressing the challenges facing the industry and embracing the opportunities presented by immigration reform, we can ensure that America continues to build upon its legacy as a nation of immigrants and builders for generations to come.
Notes:
1. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “CBP Enforcement Statistics.” February 14, 2024.
2. The White House. “The Build Back Better Framework.” December 3, 2021.
3. Stephanie Ferguson. “Understanding America’s Labor Shortage.” U.S. Chamber of Commerce. February 13, 2024.
4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Table 10. Total Separations Levels and Rates by Industry and Region, Not Seasonally Adjusted - 2023 M12 Results.” January 30, 2024.
5. Tom Crist. “Construction Workers Are Retiring, and No One Is Replacing Them.” The Federalist. October 11, 2023.
6. University of Pennsylvania, ed. “The Effects of Immigration on the United States’ Economy.” Penn Wharton Budget Model. December 19, 2018.
7. Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford. “The Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Immigrants.” Center for American Progress, 2013.
8. The White House. “The Build Back Better Framework.” December 3, 2021.
9. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Table 10. Total Separations Levels and Rates by Industry and Region, Not Seasonally Adjusted - 2023 M12 Results.” January 30, 2024.
10. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “CBP Enforcement Statistics.” February 14, 2024.
11. Zachary Philips. “Contractors Face Uncertainty over New Florida Immigration Law.” Construction Dive. May 19, 2023.