ICE Targets Construction Industry

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Immigrant workers solicit a would-be employer at an informal day labor gathering spot. While many day laborers have had access to formal education in their native countries, their lack of English fluency—and, in many cases, their illegal status—makes career advancement an uphill struggle.

Immigrant workers solicit a would-be employer at an informal day labor gathering spot. While many day laborers have had access to formal education in their native countries, their lack of English fluency—and, in many cases, their illegal status—makes career advancement an uphill struggle.

Perhaps it was inevitable, but the time has come — the intent to crack down on undocumented immigrant workers seems primed to hit the construction industry in a hard way. Some home builders report receiving notification from The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, saying that it seeks to perform audits of employee documents. The type of information being requested also indicates that jobsite inspections also may take place.

This all occurs at a time when the trades are least able to lose any of its skilled labor force.

Here, John McManus, editorial and digital content director for Hanley Wood’s Residential Group, lays out the situation and presents some context, as well as the potential ramifications of an immigration crackdown on the home-building industry. The article first appeared in PSN‘s sister publication, Builder.

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