“Uncovering the Impact of Immigration Policies on Shipbuilding Industry – Sign Up for ProPublica’s Biggest Stories”

In a recent report by ProPublica, it was revealed that the shipbuilding industry in the United States is facing a severe worker shortage, leading to delays in major shipbuilding programs. This shortage has been attributed to the difficulty in finding enough workers to fill the jobs in the industry. President-elect Donald Trump’s promises to increase shipbuilding and clamp down on immigration could exacerbate the situation further.

According to a Navy report from last year, several shipbuilding programs are behind schedule due to the lack of workers. The industry has been making efforts to recruit and train American workers, but these efforts have not been sufficient to meet the current demands, let alone support expanded production.

The shipbuilding industry relies on immigrants for various shipyard duties, including roles such as welders, painters, and pipefitters. Executives in the industry are concerned that any future immigration crackdown or restrictions could disrupt their production capacity even further.

In a recent workplace raid at Bollinger’s Lockport shipyard, federal immigration agents arrested 19 foreign nationals. While the company denied any wrongdoing, the incident raised concerns about the reliance on immigrant labor in the industry. The Trump administration’s focus on deportations and immigration restrictions could impact the industry’s workforce even more.

President Joe Biden’s administration has ended workplace raids and shifted focus to “unscrupulous employers.” However, there are concerns that the incoming administration may resume such raids. The shipbuilding industry is closely watching how the government’s immigration policies will impact their workforce and production capabilities.

The industry is already struggling to find enough workers, and any further restrictions on immigration could worsen the situation. The reliance on immigrant labor in shipbuilding highlights the complex relationship between immigration policies and the needs of industries that depend on foreign workers. As the debate on immigration continues, the shipbuilding industry faces challenges in meeting its workforce needs and fulfilling its production goals.