It’s spiraled into an unrelenting challenge for roofing contractors across the United States. There are not enough qualified workers to meet the demands of their business. The crews on payroll are stretched thin, and projects often take longer to complete. On top of this, younger Americans are showing less interest in physically demanding trades. 

At the same time, many contractors are struggling with the legal risks and uncertainty associated with hiring undocumented workers — even if those workers are experienced, reliable, and willing to do the job. 

New bipartisan immigration legislation, the Dignity Act of 2025, could be the answer many contractors have been needing. While so much of the national immigration conversation is focused on the southern border, this bill goes much further than that. While it provides for border security, it also offers a structured legal framework for workforce stability, which is something roofing contractors urgently need.

The Labor Shortage That Is Getting Harder to Fill

Among the most labor-intensive trades in the construction sector, roofing businesses are hindered by high turnover and too few young workers entering the trade. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that there are more than 17,000 roofer job openings projected annually through 2032. Many of these openings are expected to replace workers leaving the industry over the next several years. 

Immigrant workers are already a big part of the equation for many contractors, especially in filling the gaps in their workforce. But existing visa programs like H-2B aren’t enough since they are capped, seasonal and hard to navigate. At the same time, millions of experienced workers already in the United States remain undocumented. This creates legal uncertainty for both employers and employees.

RELATED: Increased ICE Funding Foretells More Raids on Roofing

What the Dignity Act Proposes

The bill itself outlines several needed workforce-related reforms that, if passed by Congress and signed by the president, would bring relief to these jobforce woes.

• Legal status without amnesty. The Dignity Act would allow undocumented immigrants already in the U.S. to apply for legal status through a new “Dignity Program.” Participants would be required to pass background checks, pay restitution, and work legally for seven years before becoming eligible for a permanent solution.
• Increased and faster green cards for workers. The Dignity Act would raise the cap on employment-based green cards and speed up processing. For roofing contractors, this is highly relevant. Unlike H-2B seasonal workers, green card holders can work full-time, year-round. This makes them a strong fit for crews that need long-term, dependable labor.
• Faster visa processing across the board. Provisions of the Dignity Act would help to reduce backlogs and delays in both temporary and permanent work visa systems. This would help employers plan ahead with more certainty.
• Employer protections and modernized E-Verify. A restructured E-Verify system would provide more clarity and legal assurance for contractors who hire workers enrolled in the Dignity Program.

Why Roofing Contractors Should Care

If passed, the Dignity Act could reshape how roofing companies recruit, train, and retain talent — bringing structure and stability to a labor force critical to the industry.

• It would legalize and stabilize a workforce many contractors already rely on. By offering legal status to workers already on the job, the Dignity Act would reduce the risks and uncertainty tied to undocumented labor — while protecting the people who keep projects moving.
• It would establish clearer hiring rules and ease compliance burdens. Roofing businesses would benefit from straightforward, federally backed hiring guidelines — eliminating confusion and liability tied to a patchwork of local and state enforcement.
• It could help reduce costly turnover. With a legal pathway to stay and grow in the trade, workers would have long-term incentives to commit — improving workforce continuity, safety, and productivity on jobsites.

The proposal does not offer blanket amnesty or unrestricted immigration. Instead, it introduces a structured, work-based pathway to legal status. Background checks and eligibility requirements would still apply.

RELATED: Gen Z, Roofing’s Workforce of Tomorrow, Gathers at SkillsUSA

What It Does Not Solve

The Dignity Act will not fix every labor challenge facing roofing companies today. The immigration system would still involve paperwork and regulatory complexity. 

Even with the Dignity Act in place, roofing contractors will still need to take proactive steps to stay compliant and competitive, including:

• Planning ahead for workforce needs. Labor shortages won’t vanish overnight. Contractors must forecast demand, stagger hiring, and invest in long-term staffing strategies.
• Consulting with legal and immigration advisors. Expert guidance will be essential to navigate the new regulations and avoid costly compliance errors.
• Staying current on rule changes and compliance tools. As immigration policies continue to evolve, keeping up with updates to E-Verify, I-9 requirements, and federal standards will be critical.

Even so, the legislation offers a path forward for contractors who want to follow the law while building a stable, year-round workforce.

A Conversation the Roofing Industry Can’t Afford to Miss

Roofing is a trade built on strength, reliability, consistency, physical skill, and craftsmanship — qualities that deserve a stable, legal workforce behind them. But outdated labor laws and uncertain hiring practices threaten that foundation.

The Dignity Act of 2025 offers more than reform — it offers a chance to align immigration policy with the realities of skilled trades like roofing. It’s a blueprint for a stronger, more sustainable workforce.

Contractors who engage in this conversation now — who understand the stakes and prepare accordingly — won’t just be reacting to change. They’ll be helping lead it. The future of the roofing industry depends on the choices we make today.