News Summary
Undocumented workers, especially Latino individuals, form a significant part of Houston’s roofing industry. They face hazardous working conditions, lower wages, and lack of access to safety standards. Reports indicate that these workers earn less than their U.S.-born counterparts, often fear seeking help for injuries, and are subject to an unstable work environment due to recent political changes. Advocates are pushing for legal pathways and better labor rights to improve their situation.
Houston — Undocumented workers, particularly Latino individuals, represent a significant portion of Houston’s construction labor force, especially in the roofing sector. Despite their essential role, these workers face extreme conditions, lower wages, and hazardous working environments, raising urgent questions about labor rights and safety in the industry.
Estimates suggest that undocumented workers make up between 25% to more than 50% of Texas’ construction workforce. The average wage for a roofer like ‘El Flaco’ is about $17 per hour, a crucial income source for many families, especially those sustaining relatives in their countries of origin. Often, undocumented workers can offer roofing services for approximately $13,000, significantly less than their U.S.-born counterparts, who charge around $20,000. This wage disparity contributes to lower housing costs in Houston, which are about 50% lower than in other major U.S. metro areas.
The roofing industry, however, is notoriously dangerous, with an average of almost 115 roofers dying annually between 2018 and 2023. Roofers face numerous risks including fainting, dehydration, skin cancer, and fatal falls, making roofing the second most lethal civilian job after logging. Many undocumented workers, due to fear of deportation, do not seek medical assistance for injuries sustained on the job, further complicating their already precarious situation.
Workers in the construction sector are often marginalized, operating within a cash-based economy and earning approximately $3.12 less per hour than U.S.-born workers. A substantial portion of this workforce does not have access to safety standards and enforcement of OSHA regulations, largely due to their undocumented status and the construction industry’s subcontracting model. This has led to alarming rates of work-related injuries and fatalities, reflecting a structural neglect of immigrant labor rights within the industry.
On September 4, 2025, ‘El Flaco’, a roofer in Houston, reflected on his journey from San Luis Potosi to America, supporting a family of five. His experience is echoed by Jesús Navarro, a 52-year-old roofer, who continually faces the struggle of being undocumented and the need to frequently search for work, often resorting to locations like Home Depot when roofs are not available. These challenges highlight the high stakes that undocumented workers encounter in balancing the need for work to support their families against the looming threat of deportation.
The ongoing political climate and an increase in ICE raids and deportation proceedings contribute to an atmosphere of fear and instability among immigrant construction workers. As a result, many are now reconsidering their future in the U.S., weighing their commitment to their families against the heightened risks they face. Advocates for immigrant rights are calling for additional legal pathways that would allow immigrants to obtain work authorization in the construction sector, which is vital for ensuring better safety standards and labor rights in an industry heavily reliant on this workforce.
In summary, while undocumented workers play a critical role in Houston’s roofing industry, their circumstances raise pressing issues regarding labor rights, safety, and the structural inequalities they face. The high incidence of injuries and fatalities in the industry emphasizes the need for improved workers’ rights and protections, particularly for this vulnerable segment of the labor force.
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Additional Resources
- Houston Chronicle: Undocumented Roofers
- Wikipedia: Construction Industry
- Roofing Contractor: Undocumented Workers in Roofing
- Google Search: Immigration Construction Workers
- Houston Chronicle: Texas Construction Workers and ICE
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration Law
- Spectrum News: Immigration Policy and Labor
- Google News: ICE Raids Construction
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
HOUSTON STAFF WRITER The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
