Construction sites across Massachusetts are facing labor shortages as fear of immigration enforcement leads many workers to avoid job sites, industry insiders say. Skilled trades such as carpentry, roofing, electrical work, and drywall installation are particularly affected, raising concerns about project delays and rising costs amid an ongoing housing shortage.
José Mário Oliveira, a 52-year-old construction worker and U.S. citizen since 2018, described the climate among workers. He explained that alerts circulated through messaging apps about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations can cause entire neighborhoods to become "ghost towns" of inactivity for the day. “People are afraid,” Oliveira said, emphasizing the abundant demand for labor but a scarcity of workers willing to show up.
Massachusetts’ construction sector has a significant immigrant workforce, including both documented and undocumented individuals. According to 2025 data from the Economic Policy Institute, about 25% of the state’s construction workers are immigrants. Many small to mid-size residential projects depend heavily on immigrant labor, particularly subcontractors who perform specialized trades.
The current labor challenges coincide with heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Authorities have increased raids and inspections aimed at individuals without legal status. While federal officials maintain their focus is on curtailing illegal immigration, the expanded enforcement has fueled uncertainty and fear even among workers with legal status.
Recent policy changes have also contributed to the unease. In May, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that applicants for green cards must now leave the country and apply from abroad, a shift from previous procedures. Furthermore, a June U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowed the Trump administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status for nationals of 17 countries—including Haiti—a designation that had provided legal protections for many immigrant workers employed in construction.
Industry representatives warn that ongoing immigration policies risk exacerbating labor shortages that are already straining housing development in Massachusetts. With fewer workers showing up due to concerns about enforcement, delays on construction projects, especially residential developments, could become more frequent and costly.
In summary, Massachusetts’ construction industry faces significant labor constraints amid increased immigration enforcement, affecting the availability of skilled workers and threatening timely completion of projects in a state grappling with housing demand.