NAHB Backs Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill

The remodeling sector remains strong and has a bright future, but still the chronic shortage of skilled labor threatens the industry. Amid the ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration, it’s important to note that the immigrant workforce plays a critical role in meeting the demand for skilled labor in the building trades. In fact, immigrants account for 31% of all workers in construction trades, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The National Association of Home Builders believes that immigrants must remain a viable source of labor, and endorses new bipartisan legislation that seeks to protect the nation’s borders and preserve its critical workforce. The DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act was introduced in Congress in July by Reps. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) and Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) and is the most sweeping measure to address immigration since President Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) into law almost 40 years ago.

NAHB has called on Congress to enact reforms to secure the nation’s borders without raising housing costs or curbing the nation’s housing supply, and has made policy recommendations that were addressed in the Dignity Act, including:

• Ensuring that employers continue to be responsible only for verifying the identity and work authorization of their direct employees—and NOT those of their subcontractors.
• Creating new legal pathways for long-serving immigrant populations to continue permanently working in the home building industry. The industry is at risk if long-term workers with unique technical expertise are not given the opportunity to continue providing vital contributions.
• Maintaining investment in training America’s domestic workforce, including supporting novel approaches that incentivize student participation in skilled trades training.

As of the date of publication, the legislation has 29 co-sponsors in the House, and pairs robust enforcement measures to curb illegal immigration and strengthen local law enforcement with a fair and responsible pathway to permanent work authorization for certain undocumented workers. It also prioritizes American workers through the establishment of the American Worker Fund to retrain workers to meet the needs of a changing economy.

NAHB believes that preservation of the existing residential construction workforce is an important part of any reform effort. At a time of endemic labor shortages, home builders and remodelers are acutely aware of the critical role of immigrant labor. The Dignity Act acknowledges these realities, marrying accountability, workforce development, and respect for the rule of law.

Toward that end, this legislation would create a new seven-year pathway to permanent work authorization for undocumented workers who meet clear and stringent criteria. Workers who arrived in the United States prior to Dec. 31, 2020, must:

• Comply with federal and state laws;
• Complete a comprehensive criminal background check;
• Pay back taxes and begin paying income tax;
• Be gainfully employed or in school for at least four years of the seven; and
• Pay an annual restitution fee of $1,000 over the seven years of the program. These payments will directly fund the American Worker Fund, developing the next generation of skilled American labor.

Individuals who meet these conditions will be granted a seven-year permanent and indefinitely renewable work and travel authorization, as well as protection from removal proceedings. This status cannot be leveraged to apply for lawful permanent residency. 

“The Dignity Act addresses the acute labor shortage faced by the residential construction industry and puts forward a solution that is balanced, fair, and mitigates economic disruption,” said Sam Gilboard, federal legislative director at NAHB. “This legislation won’t become law overnight, but the time is right. This is a strong piece of legislation, and NAHB is proud to support it.”