Immigrants Make Up Just 3.1% of Maine's Construction Workforce, 2nd Lowest in the U.S.

As federal immigration enforcement intensifies, industries that depend heavily on foreign-born workers are beginning to feel the strain. One of the most exposed is the U.S. construction sector, where immigrants—both documented and undocumented—make up a substantial share of the workforce. These workers are integral not only to residential and commercial building projects, but also to the maintenance and repair of the nation's aging infrastructure.

Recent data reveal that in several major U.S. cities, foreign-born workers account for more than half of all construction industry employment. These concentrations are especially notable in parts of the country with large immigrant populations, long-standing labor pipelines, or occupational niches historically filled by foreign workers. As immigration enforcement measures ramp up, these metro areas may face disproportionate labor disruptions, with potential consequences for timelines, costs, and the broader economy.