Summary
A Texas Republican, Representative Monica De La Cruz, plans to discuss with the Trump administration and the U.S. Department of Labor ways to allow some undocumented migrants to work legally in the U.S. construction industry. She suggested creating a visa program similar to the current one for agricultural workers to address labor shortages caused by immigration enforcement in Texas's construction sector.
Key Facts
- Representative Monica De La Cruz, a Republican from Edinburg, Texas, is leading the initiative.
- De La Cruz aims to establish a legal work program for undocumented migrants specifically for construction jobs.
- She intends to propose a new visa similar to the H‑2A visa for agricultural workers but for construction.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions have arrested over 9,100 people in South Texas in the past year.
- ICE's immigration enforcement under President Trump's administration has significantly impacted the construction industry's workforce.
- The proposal comes amid labor shortages affecting project timelines and costs in the Texas construction sector.
- De La Cruz also advocates for reforms in existing worker visa programs that affect agricultural workers.
- There is some bipartisan support for creating more legal pathways for migrants to work in various sectors, including construction.
