The federal government’s aggressive immigration enforcement has rocked the roofing industry in 2025, whether it’s been a reduction in the workforce or, in more serious cases, raids from Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Roofing companies are understandably worried they’ll be on the receiving end of an ICE audit or an ICE raid. However, with the right mindset and steps taken, contractors can navigate these rough waters.

Philip Siegel, a construction attorney and partner with Hendrick Phillips Salzman & Siegel, shared snippets of what he discussed at his educational seminar focusing on I-9 forms during the 2025 Western Roofing Expo. He said in his experience, most companies haven’t properly examined their workers’ I-9s, leading to a “fire drill” when ICE comes knocking.

“I don’t think the sky’s falling, but the rhetoric’s been explicit, the construction industry’s a focus, and even more specifically the roofing industry,” he said. “It’s low-hanging fruit for this administration. The I-9 audits are going to increase, and if you want to avoid that fire drill, conducting a self-audit at your own pace at our own time would be a wise move.”

Related to workforce issues, Siegel also touches on how contractors should handle non-compete and non-solicitation agreements.

“I’m seeing a lot of movement within the industry right now, and with that comes an uptick in that type of work,” he said. “At the same time, it’s just counseling on terminations … as there’s a lot of work, there’s an opportunity for more issues.”

Watch the video here for the full discussion and tips on managing I-9s through programs like E-Verify.