In the first half of 2025, U.S. hotel hiring managers requested 36% more background checks than they did during the same period in 2024, reflecting growing concerns over the immigration status of foreign born workers in the hospitality industry. According to data from Hireology, which tracks recruitment trends across 1,000 U.S. hotel properties, this surge comes as federal immigration authorities reverse prior guidance limiting workplace raids at farms, hotels and restaurants, and as political pressure mounts to crack down on undocumented migrants.
Industry experts note that hotels are particularly sensitive to allegations of lax hiring practices. “Companies are certainly far more cognizant of that than they’ve ever been, and they don’t want to be caught up in or be accused of lax hiring practices when it comes to verification of immigration status,” said Patrick Scholes, a Truist hotel equity analyst.
Foreign‑born workers play a vital role in hotel operations. The U.S. Travel Association estimates that at least one third of the travel industry’s workforce is made up of immigrants, and the American Hotel and Lodging Association reports that in 2024 hotels directly employed over 2.15 million people. In the same period covered by Hireology’s data, total hires across those 1,000 hotels rose 22% to more than 8,000 new workers highlighting the challenge of balancing staffing needs with compliance requirements.
Key takeaways for hoteliers and industry observers:
- Background checks up 36%: From January to June 2025 versus the same window in 2024, reflecting increased scrutiny.
- Immigrant workforce share: Roughly 34% of housekeepers and 24% of cooks are foreign‑born, based on 2023 U.S. Census Bureau and Tourism Economics data.
- Hiring growth: Overall hotel hiring climbed 22% in the first half of 2025, though demand for front desk associates, housekeepers and cooks only held steady or rose modestly.
These trends come against the backdrop of renewed enforcement action by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and policy initiatives aimed at ending temporary legal statuses for hundreds of thousands of migrants. Hotel operators now face the dual challenge of maintaining sufficient staffing levels to meet guest demand while ensuring rigorous compliance with evolving immigration guidelines.
As background checks become a standard part of hotel recruitment protocols, hoteliers should stay informed on federal guidance, partner with reputable screening providers and communicate transparently with both new and existing employees. By doing so, they can uphold guest safety and regulatory compliance without compromising the diverse workforce that is essential to the hospitality industry’s success.