Trump has proposed a mass deportation plan to remove up to 20 million people, which he claims would free up homes for U.S. citizens and lower housing prices. However, economists and industry experts doubt the feasibility and cost of such a plan. Homebuilders are skeptical of Trump’s ability to deliver on this promise, as it would disrupt the construction industry and lead to a shortage of workers. Despite Trump’s history of floating outlandish ideas, he has implemented controversial policies like diverting Pentagon money to build a border wall, banning travel from Muslim-majority countries, and separating migrant children from their parents.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has expressed concerns about the deportation proposal and is engaging with both campaigns to address immigration policy and reform. There is evidence that foreign-born construction workers help keep housing costs in check, with U.S. metro areas with growing immigrant populations having lower building costs. Mass deportations would disrupt the construction industry, as the existing workforce is aging, and the average high school student is not aspiring to work in construction. Undocumented workers would likely flee ahead of any deportation effort, leading to a significant hit on home construction.
Past examples in states like Florida and Arizona show that strict immigration policies can lead to a destabilization of the construction industry, with workers leaving and not returning. Industry experts are divided on their support for Trump, with some praising his ability to “get things done” while others are concerned about the impact of his immigration policies on the economy. Overall, there is a need for a serious conversation about immigration policy and reform in the country.
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