Construction worker shortages nationwide are the leading cause of project delays as new immigration enforcement efforts have affected nearly a third of construction firms nationwide, including in Washington.  

That’s according to the results of a workforce survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and the National Center for Construction Education and Research. 

In Washington, 25% of firms reported being impacted by immigration enforcement activities during the past six months, noting they weren’t affected directly but their subcontractors lost workers. 

Nationwide, 28% of those surveyed report being affected directly or indirectly by immigration enforcement activities during the past six months. Specifically, 5% report a jobsite or off-site was visited by immigration agents and 10% say workers left or failed to appear because of actual or rumored immigration actions. And 20% report subcontractors lost workers. 

More than 90% of contractors nationwide report they are having a hard time filling open positions, construction officials called for more funding for construction education and new, lawful ways for people to enter the country to work in the industry. 

“As the survey results show, construction workforce shortages aren’t just a problem for the construction industry,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, during a virtual media briefing to release the results. “Construction projects of all types are being delayed because there aren’t enough qualified workers available for firms to hire.” 

Nearly 1,400 firms completed the survey from a broad cross-section of the construction industry, including union and open shop firms of all sizes. The 2025 Workforce Survey is the association’s 13th annual workforce-related survey.