In the wake of natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey, we find ourselves
faced by a dilemma. There is a considerable amount of cleanup and rebuilding
that must occur, but there are not nearly enough workers to take on the
job. Historically, immigrants have played a big role in helping staggered
cities back to their feet.
The reasons behind the workers shortage have been building up slowly for
a long time. When there was a housing bubble that was growing, construction
workers and skilled trade workers couldn’t keep up with the demand
for labor. When the bubble burst and the housing market took a turn for
the worst, many of these workers found themselves turning to other fields
to find employment. Now that there is a great need again, the workers
we relied upon before have moved on. For the residents of cities affected
by natural disasters, the worker shortage is a disaster in itself.
Immigrants are important in the process of a city’s recovery from
storms or other disasters. After Hurricane Katrina, more than a 100,000
immigrants, many of which were undocumented, flocked to New Orleans and
surrounding areas to find work in reconstruction efforts. A decade ago,
there was enough workers to help Louisiana recover. Unfortunately for
Texas, it appears the relied-upon immigrant workforce may be drying up.
As immigration reforms seek to deport immigrants and prevent immigration
from occurring, we are running out of people to take construction jobs.
The anti-immigrant rhetoric is pushing immigrants out of jobs and out
of the country. Without enough workers, American businesses are unable
to flourish and grow. Immigrants support the U.S. economy in many ways,
including helping with disaster relief efforts and rebuilding.
Texas faces a considerable challenge to repair the damage of Hurricane
Harvey. Tens of thousands of workers will be needed in the area, and they
will require undamaged homes and above-market wages to lure them away
from existing jobs. The question remains, however—where will Houston
find the workers needed?
At USILaw, we are committed to our immigrant clients. We understand the
challenges you face as you navigate the immigration process, and our global
immigration lawyers are here to help. Let our experienced team guide you
and provide tested, effective legal counsel for your immigration issues.
No matter how complex your case may be, we have the necessary experience
to help you through.
Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation and begin your case.