Industry groups, including construction and agriculture, are raising concerns with the Trump administration over its ongoing immigration crackdown. The recent push to end deportation protections for 1.3 million people who had been legally working in the US is exacerbating an already challenging issue of worker shortages.

Immigration Enforcement and Economic Impact

Trump officials have not offered any assurances in return, other than a commitment to immigration enforcement. The construction industry is grappling with multiple immigration enforcement actions, including the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Foreign-born workers made up more than a quarter of the construction workforce in 2024, a record high.

The administration’s approach to people who have temporary permissions to live and work in the US, including those who are beneficiaries of TPS or seeking asylum, is a key issue for general contractors. Employers want to work with the administration and comply with its demands but also can’t have their workforce decimated overnight without a plan.

Industry Concerns and White House Response

White House border czar Tom Homan has publicly said he expects Homeland Security Investigations to do more worksite enforcement. Trump pledged to bring down home prices and create more housing, but for more than a year, the nation’s homebuilders have told administration officials that their immigration policies keep that from happening.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.