A new study challenges the belief that mass deportation could reduce housing costs and create more jobs for U.S. citizens. Co-authored by Troup Howard from the University of Utah, the research reveals that deporting immigrant construction workers—who fill essential low-skill roles—actually slows down homebuilding, leading to higher home prices.
The study, which examined counties affected by the Secure Communities program, found that increased immigration enforcement resulted in a significant decline in construction activity. This slowdown could cost counties as much as a year’s worth of homebuilding over a four-year span. But the impact doesn’t end there—deportations also reduce job opportunities for U.S. citizens, particularly in lower-skilled positions that were previously filled by immigrants.
Howard’s research underscores a crucial issue: rather than alleviating housing shortages, mass deportation policies may worsen the situation by restricting the labor force needed to build homes. In an already tight housing market, the study suggests that deportation policies are more likely to drive up prices and reduce construction, leaving both housing supply and job opportunities in a precarious state. This study calls into question the true impact of immigration enforcement on the housing market and the economy.