Other sectors seek Trump's assistance in recruiting immigrant workers following agricultural sector relief.

Construction at a new city hall in Raleigh, North Carolina, came to a halt on November 18 as news of immigration enforcement discouraged many workers from showing up. Sectors heavily reliant on immigrant labor, including construction, are now requesting federal assistance to cope with workforce shortages and the impact of raids.

Following measures by the Trump administration to simplify hiring of foreign agricultural workers and lower wage requirements for them, other industries are pushing for similar relief. Temporary worker visas have bipartisan support in Congress as a short-term solution, and the Office of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has emphasized streamlining visa access for both agricultural and non-agricultural roles.

However, some experts caution that reliance on temporary visas may delay broader immigration reforms that provide a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship. Labor economist Pia Orrenius of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas noted that without permanent status, immigrants remain vulnerable to policy changes and mass deportation threats. She added that current immigration enforcement could be an opportunity to develop long-term solutions for workforce needs.

Restaurants, construction, and landscaping have collectively lost approximately 315,000 immigrant workers through August this year, more than any other sectors, according to an analysis of Current Population Survey data. Construction companies, in particular, are seeking visa programs similar to the H-2A agricultural visa to avoid project delays in housing, infrastructure, and utility projects. Jaime Andress, representing the Associated General Contractors of America, testified that nearly 92% of contractors with open positions are struggling to find skilled labor.

Reductions in immigrant workers include roughly 145,000 fewer in restaurants, 127,000 in construction, and 43,000 in landscaping compared to the same period last year. Some landscaping firms have reported substantial contract losses when employees failed to appear due to fear of immigration raids.

To address these shortages, thousands of businesses nationwide have requested an additional 64,716 H-2B visas for seasonal roles in sectors like hospitality, tourism, landscaping, forestry, and seafood production. A bipartisan group of 33 senators also called for expanding H-2B visas, emphasizing that domestic labor alone cannot meet industry needs.

Construction associations are advocating for a new visa category, H-2C, proposed to allow up to 85,000 temporary workers in construction, hospitality, and other sectors to remain in the U.S. for up to nine years. They also support legislative efforts to grant legal status to some existing workers. Workforce shortages remain a primary factor in project delays, with enhanced ICE enforcement further exacerbating the problem.

Recent federal immigration raids have affected workforces in states including Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, and Louisiana. Reports indicate over 65,000 detentions in recent months, with most detainees having no criminal convictions.

Construction, landscaping, and other industries already utilize H-2B visas extensively. In fiscal year 2025, around 209,000 H-2B visas were issued, with the largest recipients being Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Colorado, and Louisiana. Common occupations included building and grounds maintenance, food service, construction, farming, forestry, and personal care. Companies such as Core Tech Construction (NYC), ABC Professional Tree Services (Texas), and Progressive Solutions LLC (Arkansas) were among the largest visa users.

Experts argue that the H-2B program needs expansion and simplification, as annual caps and complex paperwork make it difficult for employers to secure sufficient workers. Requests for visas for the first half of fiscal 2026 have already exceeded the 33,000 visa limit.

Author: Ethan Caldwell