Availability of foreign and immigrant labor across different sectors of the U.S. reduced greatly with the government’s immigration enforcement efforts. The U.S. uses immigrant labor for both unskilled and skilled positions. Due to its policies, the U.S. could face a labor shortage at both ends of the spectrum.

The implementation of steep visa application fees, like the new $100k H1-B fee, was meant to discourage U.S. companies from relying on foreign labor. However, it also discourages skilled workers from coming to the U.S. Some prospective H-1B beneficiaries are already making plans to go somewhere else.

Meanwhile, increased enforcement operations by immigration authorities like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is having a palpable effect on sectors reliant on unskilled immigrant labor like the agricultural industry. The Department of Labor (DOL) recently acknowledged in its’ Federal Register that the lack of documented and undocumented immigrant labor could translate to higher prices at the supermarket.

International companies are also more cautious about sending their own employees to the U.S. for work. ICE detaining several hundred workers at a Georgia Hyundai factory in September 2025, lead to an international incident. ICE’s actions ran counter to the government’s stated goal of increasing enforcement measures towards undocumented immigrants while encouraging foreign investment. Despite the apparent costs, immigration enforcement shows no sign of stopping. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July 2025, allocates billions of dollars for training new ICE agents and increasing the capacity of detainment centers.

As always, Immigration USA actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, we’re with you every step of the way.