There is a severe workforce shortage among construction companies around the country due to increased immigration enforcement, according to the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).
The survey of Nebraska firms shows nearly half have been either directly impacted by immigration enforcement and workers fearful to come to work, or affected indirectly through subcontractors with similar experiences.
AGC spokesperson Brian Turmail said the organization has been sharing recent obstacles with Congress.
“We want to make sure that they are aware of those shortages and what impacts they can have on a positive way to labor shortages and construction industry, and what steps they’re taking, enhancing immigration enforcement being one of them, that are taking people out of the workforce at a time when contractors are trying to build,” he said.
In addition to increased immigration enforcement, the surveyed construction firms report increased tariff policies are also delaying projects.
Turmail added the Dignity Act, which would implement immigration reform including a pathway for some non-U.S.-citizens to continue working in the country, would help find solutions to the workforce shortage. Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon announced his support for the legislation.
Through 2003-2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found more than one-quarter of construction workers were foreign born.
“We have been working with other construction groups and other trade associations to try to convince Congress and this and previous administrations to create that pathway for letting companies demonstrate that if they can’t fill a job with diligent effort to find American workers that they should be able to bring foreign workers in,” said AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson.
The AGC had attempted sharing its concerns with the Trump administration before new immigration policies were implemented.
Simonson added the political environment has “stymied” their efforts. He expects more firms will likely be affected in coming months since the survey was conducted after the passage of the reconciliation bill, which directed more funds toward immigration enforcement.