Undocumented builders reveal how fear of deportation fuels wage theft, unsafe conditions, and economic despair across America
The Hidden Workforce Behind America’s Homes
As former President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies immigration enforcement in 2025, undocumented construction workers—an essential yet invisible part of the U.S. labor force—are sounding the alarm on worsening workplace abuse. Across states like Arizona, Washington, and Texas, fear of deportation is driving a surge in wage theft, unsafe job sites, and exploitative practices.
According to interviews conducted by the Guardian, many undocumented laborers are facing significant wage cuts, longer hours, and the looming threat of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids.
“They Know We’re Powerless”: How Contractors Are Exploiting Fear
Rogelio, a tile setter in Tucson, Arizona, typifies the experience. Undocumented and working for various contractors, he says his pay has plummeted by up to 40% since Trump took office again in January 2025.
“They decreased the pay because they know most of us don’t have Social Security numbers. They take advantage of that,” Rogelio said. “It’s more work, less pay. We have no choice.”
Rogelio’s story echoes across job sites nationwide. Undocumented workers are skipping highways to avoid police. They’re staying home unless absolutely necessary. Their existence is now defined by fear—and silence. “We look at the news every morning to decide if it’s safe to go to work,” he added.
A Structural Crisis: 34% of Construction Workforce Is Foreign-Born
With nearly 3 million foreign-born workers making up 34% of the U.S. construction workforce, the sector relies heavily on immigrant labor. Industry leaders have warned that the Trump administration’s crackdown is exacerbating already dire labor shortages.
“While the need for safe and secure borders is paramount, mass deportation is not the answer,” said Buddy Hughes, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
But the industry’s calls for moderation appear to be drowned out by a climate of heightened enforcement. According to Guardian analysis, ICE is increasingly arresting immigrants with no criminal records, fueling allegations that workplace raids are being used to suppress worker activism.
Retaliation by ICE: Safety Complaints Met With Arrests
In Washington state, organizers say ICE raids are being weaponized against undocumented workers who speak out. Savannah Palmira, organizing director with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, said a roofing company was raided earlier this year after workers filed safety complaints.
“ICE is getting called on them [workers] when they speak up,” said Palmira. “It’s a tool contractors are using to avoid accountability.”
One anonymous undocumented laborer in Washington told the Guardian that his last employer regularly denied medical care for injuries, withheld overtime pay, and ignored break regulations—all while threatening to call ICE.
“They say, you’re undocumented, so we’ll pay you $10 an hour. And if not, they’ll tell ICE,” he said. “Many of us are thinking about going back to our home countries.”
The Double Bind: Wanted for Labor, Not for Citizenship
In states like Arizona, even driving to work can be perilous. Rogelio said workers are avoiding freeways altogether due to racial profiling by local law enforcement and border patrol agents.
“We’re living day to day, not knowing what’s going to happen tomorrow,” he said. “There are racist neighborhoods where they want our labor but not our presence.”
Despite their essential role in residential construction, undocumented workers remain legally vulnerable and politically marginalized. Rogelio’s situation is especially heartbreaking: he’s the father of two U.S.-born citizens, yet he’s living in constant fear without any access to social protections or legal recourse.
“We came here to work and provide for our families,” he said. “I’m not asking for any benefits. Just the right to live and work without fear.”
Industry in Crisis: “This Isn’t Sustainable”
The construction industry’s national bodies are growing increasingly alarmed. The Building Industry Association of Washington stated that immigrants make up 25% of the trades workforce in their state alone, warning that losing them would disrupt housing supply and inflate costs.
“We support sensible immigration reforms, including work visas and legal pathways to citizenship,” the group said in a statement.
NAHB echoed this sentiment, citing a 200,000-worker shortage that’s worsening due to immigration enforcement.
“Any disruption to the labor force would raise housing costs, limit supply and worsen the affordability crisis,” Hughes said.
However, neither the NAHB nor the Arizona Builders Alliance directly addressed growing claims of workplace abuse, pay cuts, or retaliation.
A Chilling Effect: Silenced Voices and Broken Dreams
Advocacy groups like the Texas-based Workers Defense Project warn that the climate of fear has completely undermined labor protections.
“People won’t file complaints because they’re scared,” said Laura Becerra, the group’s movement politics director. “And if they do speak up, they’re retaliated against.”
From Tucson to Tacoma, the message is clear: America’s housing boom is being built on the backs of laborers with no voice and no safety net. The very workers powering the construction engine are being pushed deeper into the shadows—vital but disposable.
The Cost of Building on Exploitation
Trump’s immigration policies are not just political gestures—they’re economic policies with cascading effects. As raids intensify, contractors are emboldened to exploit undocumented workers, who now face lower wages, increased workloads, and unsafe conditions without any hope of protection or reform.
The housing industry, policymakers, and the public must decide: Will the foundation of America’s economic recovery be built on fear and exploitation? Or will Congress finally act to legalize and protect the millions who build its homes?
