The train tracks weaving their way through downtown Freehold, New Jersey, were once lively with men lining up for work every morning. These day laborers, mostly undocumented individuals from Latin America, would wait for local contractors to offer them jobs in painting, landscaping, or debris removal. Nowadays, the tracks are eerily quiet. On a dreary February morning, Mario, who arrived from Mexico two decades ago, noted it’s the calmest he’s ever seen.
“There’s fear because of the president,” Mario, aged 55, shared. He agreed to speak only if his first name was used, due to concerns over his undocumented status. His two sons, also undocumented, are working in paving and home construction. “These are really tough times,” he commented.
This pattern isn’t unique to Freehold. Similar scenes are happening on California’s farms, in Arizona’s nursing homes, Georgia’s poultry plants, and Chicago’s restaurants. President Trump’s announced plans for “mass deportation,” along with increased immigration enforcement activities in cities nationwide, have infused a sense of fear among the nation’s undocumented workers. Many now choose to stay home.
This apprehension reverberates not just in immigrant communities but also in industries heavily reliant on inexpensive immigrant labor—residential construction, agriculture, senior care, and hospitality. The ripple effects will, inevitably, catch up with consumers, as Rebecca Shi from the American Business Immigration Coalition points out, noting potential business disruptions and escalating consumer costs.
With about 20% of the U.S. labor force being foreign-born and many lacking legal status, millions of businesses risk losing significant parts of their workforce. A program offering temporary protected status to workers from tumultuous countries has been a boon for major corporations like Amazon. However, Trump has declared intentions to wind down this program, starting with Venezuelans and Haitians. This move threatens to dry up a labor stream that has been vital to many sectors.
Refugees, traditionally providing low-skilled labor in various industries, face uncertain futures too. The U.S. refugee program shutdown by Trump has only just been temporarily reinstated by a federal judge amid a lawsuit. Still, no new refugees entering spells trouble for employers relying on this workforce pipeline. The White House has stayed mum on how they plan to tackle the gaps left by the immigrant workforce.
Industry leaders, especially those in the most vulnerable sectors, warn of widespread negative implications. Kezia Scales from PHI stresses the dire state of long-term care already suffering from recruitment crises that strict immigration policies could exacerbate.
In construction, where an estimated 19% of workers are undocumented—higher in numerous states—potential deportations pose significant hurdles. Nik Theodore from the University of Illinois Chicago highlights how this could lead to delays and increased project costs. The rising demand for workers in the senior care industry further underscores the dependency on immigrant labor.
Dallas-based Adam Lampert warns of the impending “silver tsunami” as more seniors require care—a sector heavily staffed by immigrants. With an anticipated growth in the senior population, any reduction in the available workforce could cripple services.
Places like New York and California rely on immigrant caregivers, making up two-thirds of the workforce. A mass deportation could strain these critical services, driving up costs and competition for remaining caregivers.
Furthermore, the agricultural sector faces its challenges, with foreign-born workers being critical for operations in states like California. Farmer Tom Deardorff emphasizes the essential nature of these workers, underscoring the industry’s labor shortages. Enforcement actions in growing regions during Trump’s tenure visibly impacted attendance and productivity, raising concerns about economic viability.
Many immigrant advocacy groups are Steele themselves for more enforcement actions. An evening meeting in Princeton, New Jersey, highlighted the pervasive concerns within immigrant communities, as workers recounted fears of workplace raids and the uncertainty surrounding their livelihoods.
Overall, the looming threat of deportation casts a long shadow over both individuals and industries, leaving many to wonder who will step in to fill these essential roles.
