The Economist Features RGVBA on Construction Workforce Challenges

In an August 27, 2026 article published by The Economist, the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association was featured in reporting examining the economic effects of federal immigration enforcement and changing workforce conditions across the United States.

The article includes comments from RGVBA Executive Officer Johnny Vasquez, who described the effects of intensified immigration enforcement on construction-site activity in the Rio Grande Valley during June 2025.

Vasquez recalled that some residential construction sites had become "ghost towns" as workforce disruptions affected building activity throughout the region.

The reporting examines broader national labor-market trends, including reduced workforce participation, labor shortages in construction and other industries, and the potential effects on economic growth.

By featuring the Rio Grande Valley's construction industry, The Economist brought a regional perspective to a national discussion about workforce availability and the economic challenges facing employers.

The RGVBA appreciates opportunities to contribute local construction-industry perspectives to reporting on issues affecting residential development, housing availability, and the broader building industry.

Read the original article: The economic costs of Donald Trump's immigration crackdown — The Economist

Original reporting by The Economist. Published August 27, 2026.

Access to the original article may require a subscription. An accessible republication is available through Mint, dated August 29, 2026.

Illustrative photo by paulbr75 via Pixabay. Image does not depict the specific events discussed in the original reporting.