Recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations targeting construction sites have ignited widespread concern throughout the construction sector. Last week, over 100 undocumented workers were detained at a student housing development in Tallahassee, Florida. Additional enforcement actions have also taken place in New Orleans and San Antonio, as part of a broader federal crackdown under the Trump administration's immigration policies.

These raids are intensifying fears among workers and employers alike, who worry about the potential disruption to an already fragile labor market. Estimates indicate that approximately 20% of the U.S. construction workforce may be undocumented, meaning enforcement efforts could cause significant workforce shortages.

In the immediate aftermath of the Tallahassee operation, several Florida construction projects temporarily halted operations, underscoring the raid’s chilling impact on the industry. Industry leaders warn that ongoing immigration enforcement could deepen labor scarcity, drive up costs, and delay critical infrastructure and development projects nationwide.

Brian Turmail, vice president of public affairs and workforce for the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), emphasized the structural challenges the industry faces. "We should not be surprised that undocumented workers are employed in this sector," he said. Turmail pointed to longstanding underinvestment in trade education combined with restrictive immigration policies as key factors. “The U.S. has for decades underinvested in trade careers while limiting legal pathways for foreign-born workers to enter construction,” he added.

This policy gap has created a paradox: a construction industry hungry for labor but constrained by legal barriers, which contributes to its heavy dependence on undocumented workers. Contractor associations like AGC and the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) are advising their members to strengthen employment verification practices and prepare for potential ICE visits to job sites.

Many construction employers are now grappling with how to balance compliance with immigration law and maintaining a reliable workforce. For some, the raids have led to heightened anxiety among workers, impacting morale and productivity. Others worry about the risk of project delays and increased costs as the labor pool shrinks.

“Beyond the immediate legal and logistical challenges, these raids threaten to exacerbate an ongoing labor shortage in construction,” said Turmail. “Addressing this effectively requires policy solutions that create viable legal pathways for workers and invest in training American workers for skilled trades.”

As the industry navigates these uncertainties, the broader conversation continues around immigration reform, workforce development, and how to sustainably meet the nation’s infrastructure and housing needs without jeopardizing workers or project timelines.

Originally reported by Nick Pipitone in Propmodo.