Day laborers wait for work in the shade in the parking lot of the Home Depot store Wednesday, June 19, 2019, in Houston. Known as jornaleros, these informal workers often have some of the lowest wages in the industry.

Texas construction depends on affordable labor — but immigration crackdowns are raising the stakes

The construction industry in Texas relies heavily on affordable, often foreign-born labor. There are about 300,000 undocumented  construction workers in Texas, roughly a quarter of the state's construction workforce. In era of increased immigration enforcement, these workers are becoming increasingly vulnerable to wage theft, exploitation and threats of deportation. 

In my latest story, I examine how Texas’s layered subcontracting system often shields major contractors from responsibility, creating a “don’t ask, don’t tell” culture that leaves vulnerable workers in the shadows. Now, both advocates and industry leaders are calling for immigration reform to protect workers and reduce legal risks for employers.