Immigrants are the backbone of the American economy and are key to many sectors, including construction and other services relevant to the reconstruction after a disaster. In post-apocalyptic fires in LA, as has happened in every disaster in
the United States, immigrants are already hard at work doing the cleanup as the area emerges from its worst disaster ever. Many of these workers are undocumented.
An effective recovery will be key not just for the people who lost their homes but also for the insurance industry and the economy at large. In 2005, President George W. Bush paused employer sanctions. In 2025, business leaders have already been in touch with the incoming administration to try to dampen some of the impetus behind the “mass deportation” plans, as many industries are already at a “lean” point, with a dearth of workers.
Experts and advocates at the Ethnic Media Services panel discussed whether this effort will go anywhere and what steps are being taken to confront the issue and ensure workers’ rights.
In the aftermath of natural disasters, vulnerable workers across various U.S. cities are facing alarming working conditions, according to Nik Theodore, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois Chicago. Speaking about trends in disaster recovery zones, Theodore highlighted the hazardous environments and systemic exploitation faced by workers—particularly those in construction and other labor-intensive industries—during critical rebuilding efforts.
“The extent of destruction in urban areas following climate disasters is almost unimaginable,” Theodore explained. “From the physical devastation to the personal losses, the urgency to rebuild creates a unique environment where worker protections frequently break down.”
Drawing on studies from cities such as Houston, New Orleans, South Florida, and more recently Los Angeles, Theodore described disaster zones as fraught with environmental dangers. Toxic ash, mold, gas leaks, unstable structures, and airborne hazards pose significant risks to workers. Yet, the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) is often inadequate, leaving laborers to face dangerous conditions unprepared.
“Many workers enter job sites unaware of the hazards present, and employers fail to supply the necessary protective equipment. This neglect puts workers’ health and safety at severe risk,” Theodore emphasized.
The urgency to rebuild also creates fertile ground for worker exploitation. Theodore noted that unlicensed contractors, often from out of state, flood disaster-stricken areas to capitalize on the demand for labor. These contractors frequently hire immigrant day laborers—many of whom are undocumented—and pay them substandard wages or withhold wages entirely.
“In disaster recovery zones, wage theft is rampant. Even under normal circumstances, wage theft is common in industries like construction and landscaping. But during a crisis, the problem skyrockets,” Theodore stated.
With government enforcement agencies stretched thin in disaster zones, oversight of labor standards becomes nearly nonexistent. “Enforcement of labor protections has never been sufficient in these industries, even during the best of times. In moments of crisis, the capacity of these agencies is further diminished, leaving workers even more vulnerable,” he added.
Immigrant workers, who make up a significant portion of the construction workforce, often face additional layers of exploitation. According to Theodore, anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies have emboldened unscrupulous employers to use immigration-based retaliation as a tool to suppress labor rights.
“Workers fear speaking out against wage theft or unsafe conditions because they face threats of deportation. This rhetoric has given employers immense leverage to undermine labor standards,” Theodore said.
Despite these challenges, Theodore praised the critical role of worker centers, such as those affiliated with the National Day Labor Organizing Network (NDLON), in addressing these inequities.
“Worker centers have become disaster recovery hubs. They distribute PPE, provide training, monitor labor conditions, and foster relationships with government agencies. These centers play a vital role in safeguarding workers’ rights when no one else will,” Theodore concluded.
As Los Angeles and other cities grapple with the aftermath of climate disasters, Theodore’s observations serve as a call to action. Without robust enforcement of labor protections and stronger support for vulnerable workers, the rebuilding process risks deepening systemic inequalities while leaving those at the heart of recovery efforts unprotected.
Jennie Murray, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum highlighted the severe constraints the nation is experiencing during a recent discussion on workforce challenges.
“This is an extremely difficult time for workers and American employers alike,” Murray said. “The construction industry is just one of the most constrained, but the entire labor force is struggling to meet demand.”
At the heart of the issue lies a tight labor market characterized by low unemployment, record job openings, and a declining birth rate. “Right now, we have the lowest birth rate the country has ever seen, paired with 8 to 10 million open jobs every single month for the past three or four years. This is happening alongside the lowest unemployment we’ve ever had,” Murray explained.
The construction industry, heavily reliant on foreign-born workers, exemplifies these challenges. In California, 40% of the construction workforce is foreign-born, but Murray emphasized that the current immigration system is ill-equipped to meet the growing demand for labor.
“Our immigration system simply doesn’t allow for enough workers to thrive or for our economy to grow. Construction, like healthcare and agriculture, is dependent on foreign-born talent, including many undocumented workers,” she said.
Efforts to rebuild disaster-stricken areas like Southern California and prepare for events like the 2028 Olympics are being hampered not only by labor shortages but also by fear among immigrant workers. Murray warned that anti-immigrant rhetoric and threats of deportation are deterring workers from taking critical jobs.
“People are too afraid to show up for these jobs,” Murray said. “We’ll have to depend on workers from many states and even neighboring countries to meet the demand, but that trust simply isn’t there. Without a robust, secure labor force, rebuilding will be nearly impossible.”
She added that recent immigration policy decisions, such as a Department of Homeland Security memo that could strip temporary work authorization from 1.4 million individuals, are further exacerbating the issue. “These policies create fear and instability, not just for workers, but for families and the economy as a whole.”
Murray emphasized that the challenges facing the labor market and immigration system require both immediate action and long-term solutions. While executive orders and enforcement actions are dominating the headlines, she stressed the need for Congress to implement lasting, bipartisan reforms.
“There are many pragmatic, bipartisan solutions in Congress that can address both border security and workforce needs while treating people humanely,” Murray said. “We need to prioritize American companies, workers’ rights, and the economy’s needs, all while ensuring an orderly and fair immigration process.”
Murray expressed optimism that public sentiment could shift toward more constructive solutions, citing polling data showing that most Americans—across political and ideological lines—support focusing deportations on violent criminals rather than individuals contributing to the economy.
“When the public sees overreach, like recent immigration raids that mistakenly swept up U.S. citizens and veterans, there’s a growing realization that this isn’t what they signed up for,” she said.
As wildfires continue to devastate parts of California, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) has stepped up its efforts to assist immigrant communities disproportionately affected by the disaster. According to Anabella Bastida, CHIRLA’s Director of Membership and Membership Services, the organization’s mission remains focused on building a just society that fully includes immigrants.
“We are an organization that has been here for almost 40 years,” Bastida said. “Our mission is to achieve a just society fully inclusive of immigrants. Most of our work for many years has been advocating for the immigrant community, organizing, and providing support. During this specific time, we have been on the ground, listening to stories, comforting people, and connecting them to essential services and opportunities.”
CHIRLA, which boasts over 52,000 members—most of whom reside in Los Angeles County—has been working tirelessly to assist those affected by the wildfires, especially undocumented immigrants who are often excluded from government relief programs. Bastida highlighted that many families have lost everything, including their homes, jobs, and vital documents like passports and consular identification cards.
Bastida described the heartbreaking stories of those impacted. “We’ve heard from an older woman who has been a domestic worker here for more than 30 years. She lost everything. Her home is gone, and her livelihood has disappeared. Many others face similar challenges.”
In response, CHIRLA has activated its relief program, which was first launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative provides cash assistance, food, and social services to families not eligible for federal aid through FEMA. “Some undocumented families qualify for FEMA if they have minors in their household, but many are too afraid to provide their information to the government,” Bastida explained.
The outpouring of support from the community has been instrumental in CHIRLA’s efforts. Bastida shared that a small business in Seattle donated 400,000 KN95 masks, which were distributed to shelters, organizations, and affected communities. Donations of diapers, water, and other essentials have also been crucial.
Despite these efforts, fear remains pervasive. Bastida noted that undocumented individuals are often reluctant to seek help at shelters due to the visible presence of federal agencies like FEMA. “In shelters, you can sense the fear in our community,” she said. “Many are too afraid to show up, especially with recent ICE activities in areas like Bakersfield and LA County.”
To address the fear and uncertainty, CHIRLA has intensified its rapid response efforts, collaborating with attorneys, media outlets, and partner organizations to support and protect immigrant communities. The organization is also working with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and local churches to provide training and resources.
Through CHIRLA’s immigrant hotline and rapid response network, the group is reaching out to those in need and spreading a message of solidarity. “We are telling our community that they are not alone,” Bastida emphasized. “Many organizations and entities are standing with us. We will keep fighting, advocating, and moving forward together.”
As California faces the dual crises of wildfires and a heightened climate of fear, CHIRLA remains steadfast in its mission to support and empower immigrants. “This is a time for unity and action,” Bastida said. “Together, we will rebuild and continue to push for a society that truly values and includes everyone.”