‘H‑2B employers paying $9‑$11 per hour’: Immigration expert says Americans are denied work even in construction

An immigration policy expert has raised concerns that American workers are losing out on jobs in sectors such as construction because of the way H-2B visas are used and paid. Rosemary Jenks, policy director at the Immigration Accountability Project, made the comments in a short video posted on X with the account associated with Steve Bannon (Trump’s former advisor) Warroom. Jenks said she had spoken with families who feel left behind by the system. “I spent the morning talking to moms who put their kids through trade school so they could get construction jobs and they’re being denied work,” she said. She added that the wages offered to H‑2B visa workers are extremely low and can easily be considered as cheap labour: “H‑2B employers are paying $9 or $11 an hour, even $15 for construction jobs. You can’t live in America on those wages.”