The recent devastation caused by the Palisades and Eaton Fires in Los Angeles, which wiped out thousands of homes and left entire neighborhoods in ruins, has brought the city to a halt in its recovery efforts. With the fires now fully contained, residents and city officials are working hard to rebuild, but there's an unexpected hurdle in their path: a shortage of construction workers, a problem that could be exacerbated by President Trump's strict immigration policies.

A significant percentage of construction workers in California—41%—are immigrants, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Many of these workers are undocumented, meaning they could face deportation under the current administration’s immigration crackdown. The state of California relies heavily on immigrant labor not only in construction but also in agriculture and food services, both of which have been targeted by policies aimed at reducing the number of undocumented workers. This presents a major challenge for Los Angeles, where construction workers are vital to the city's rebuilding process after the fires.

Bernardo Osario, a crew boss originally from Mexico who became a U.S. citizen in 2021, shared his thoughts on the situation. He has worked with a team of immigrant workers for over 30 years, and in his view, the only way to rebuild the city is with the help of these workers. “People like to work. They want to work. They want better lives as well,” Osario said, emphasizing that immigrant workers are not only contributing to the economy but are also an essential part of the recovery efforts following the fires. He believes that without immigrants in the workforce, the rebuilding efforts would not be possible.

In California, immigrant workers make up a significant portion of the construction workforce, and this dependency is only set to increase in the wake of disasters like the fires. While many industries are facing shortages in skilled labor, the construction sector is particularly reliant on immigrant workers. Yet, the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies put these workers at risk, as deportation officers can remove many laborers who are undocumented or are in the country without legal permission, regardless of their role in the rebuilding process.

Dan Gatsby, the founder of the Los Angeles Builders Association, a trade group for the local construction industry, acknowledged the difficulty of the situation. “It’s going to be very difficult. We already have a big shortage of homes in Los Angeles — huge. I mean with this on top of it, good luck,” he said when asked about the feasibility of rebuilding Los Angeles without immigrant labor. Gatsby further emphasized that it would take years to train new workers to replace the immigrant labor force, noting that rebuilding the city without their help could take up to 20 years. Without the help of immigrant workers, he estimates the recovery process could take twice as long, potentially stretching over 40 years.

This sentiment is echoed by Osario, who stressed the importance of immigrant labor for the rebuilding efforts. "We are essential workers, essential people, for the community," he said. "We work hard, and without us, none of this could be done." Osario’s words highlight the role immigrant workers play not only in rebuilding homes and businesses but also in the daily functioning of society at large. From clearing debris to constructing new buildings, immigrants are integral to the recovery process in Los Angeles, especially after a major disaster like the fires.

While some city officials are attempting to address the issue by advocating for more protections for immigrant workers, others fear that the federal government’s stance on immigration will further complicate the rebuilding process. The political climate surrounding immigration reform remains uncertain, and it’s unclear whether or not Los Angeles will be able to rely on its immigrant workforce to the same extent as before. With the current administration’s stricter policies and ongoing debates over immigration, there is a real fear that the city could face a labor crisis, potentially delaying the rebuilding of tens of thousands of homes and making it harder for those affected by the fires to recover.

In response to these challenges, some community leaders have called for comprehensive immigration reform that balances the needs of workers with national security concerns. They argue that the construction industry—especially in disaster recovery situations like this one—depends on a steady, skilled labor force. In the case of Los Angeles, the shortage of workers due to immigration policies could not have come at a worse time, as the city is already facing a housing shortage and is struggling to meet the demand for affordable housing.

The rebuilding process in Los Angeles will undoubtedly be a long and challenging one. As the city faces rising costs of construction, labor shortages, and political uncertainty, it’s clear that immigrant workers will remain at the center of the conversation. The Trump administration’s immigration policies have already had a profound impact on industries across the nation, and construction is no exception. The future of the city’s recovery may depend not only on the commitment of local officials but also on whether or not these immigrant workers are able to remain in the country and continue contributing to the effort.

Just like rescuing Los Angeles from the flames, rebuilding the city will require every available hand—regardless of nationality or immigration status. As the city looks ahead to the long road of recovery, it remains uncertain whether it will be able to bring its immigrant labor force back in full force, or if a prolonged labor shortage will delay the rebuilding for decades to come. One thing is clear: without the dedicated workers who have always been a part of Los Angeles’ recovery efforts, the task of rebuilding will be far more difficult and could take much longer than anticipated.