The Trump administration is significantly escalating immigration enforcement operations, particularly targeting workplaces across the nation. Recent raids in Los Angeles’ fashion district and at Home Depot parking lots in Southern California exemplify this approach by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Tom Homan, the White House border czar, recently indicated that the country will experience unprecedented levels of workplace enforcement, stating, “You’re going to see more work site enforcement than you’ve ever seen in the history of this nation. We’re going to flood the zone.”
This heightened enforcement has captured the attention of industries that heavily rely on undocumented workers, notably construction, agriculture, and restaurants.
According to the Pew Research Center, an estimated 12% of workers in the construction industry had work authorization in 2017, a number that rose to 23% among construction laborers by 2021, as reported by the Center for American Progress.
Amid ongoing protests against ICE raids in Los Angeles, Morning Edition engaged with George Carrillo, co-founder and CEO of the Hispanic Construction Council, to discuss these developments. Carrillo emphasizes the critical role that Hispanic workers play in the construction sector, stating that around 50% of the skilled workforce in construction is Hispanic.
Having a diverse background that includes service in the Marines, law enforcement, and state government, Carrillo offers a unique perspective on both immigration policy and the construction industry.
In an interview, Carrillo assessed the significant reliance of the construction industry on undocumented workers. He estimated that between 700,000 to 1 million undocumented immigrants are vital to this workforce, which he believes is suffering from a broader labor shortage in the country. He cautioned, “If you take out about a million Hispanics that are undocumented, it would devastate the construction industry.”
Carrillo further elaborated, “Critical infrastructure, clean drinking water, sewage. Who’s going to build our homes? We’re about 4.5 million homes behind. All roads lead to construction. If we fail, the broader economy and our way of life dramatically suffers.”
When asked about whether the effects of such immigration crackdowns are reflected in data or if they are merely anecdotal concerns, Carrillo asserted there is clear evidence supporting the struggle to find enough workers. He noted that ongoing immigration enforcement has made the situation worse, with many workers choosing not to show up for work due to fear of raids.
“Now, when we think about the immigration crackdowns, it’s not making things any better,” he added. “People aren’t showing up to work. A lot of people thought, okay, they’re going to go after criminals. But look at what happened in Tallahassee. We saw hardworking individuals on a construction job site, and they took away a hundred workers. That is going to devastate that project.”
Carrillo offered insight into the challenge of hiring American workers, suggesting that if there was a strong desire among Americans to take on these roles, more would be doing so. He pointed to the historically low unemployment rate as a significant barrier.
He remarked, “We can’t just shut the door and say America can be self-sustainable. We’re just not there yet.”
With his extensive professional background, Carrillo’s views on immigration and enforcement reflect a nuanced understanding of labor needs in the construction sector. He urged the Trump administration to shift focus in their immigration policies.
“If you really want to go after criminals, then go after criminals. But right now, the administration is going about it all wrong,” Carrillo stated.
He expressed concern about the implications of unfair scrutiny on individuals based solely on appearance, noting, “Basically right now, what it’s doing is that if you’re brown in America, you have to prove your status. I’ve never had to prove my status.”
Carrillo proposed a more effective and humane solution: a work visa program tailored for construction workers. He suggested such a policy could help undocumented individuals stay in the country legally and pay taxes, which would benefit both the economy and the construction industry.
Furthermore, Carrillo described his personal approach to potential encounters with immigration officials, highlighting a sense of vigilance regarding his identity. He carries his passport at all times and is prepared to explain the meaning behind his tattoos, which might be misinterpreted as gang symbols.
“I want to make sure that they understand that that’s me,” he explained. These experiences underline the anxiety felt by many in his community during this intensified enforcement landscape.
In the backdrop of these immigration actions, Carrillo also weighed in on the presence of Marines and National Guard troops in Los Angeles. The role of military forces in civil enforcement activities raises questions about how communities perceive safety and security during a time of heightened tensions over immigration policy.
In summary, the intersection of immigration enforcement and labor dynamics in the construction industry poses considerable challenges, as both workers and employers grapple with the implications of stricter enforcement actions on their livelihoods.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/06/11/nx-s1-5428169/immigration-raids-construction-workers-hispanic-construction-council
