Hotels across the United States have reported a significant rise in background check requests in the first half of 2025, driven largely by heightened scrutiny of migrant workers amid evolving immigration policies.
From January to June, background checks requested by hotel hiring managers increased by 36% compared with the same period in 2024, reflecting growing concerns around workforce compliance and security.
Increased scrutiny linked to immigration changes
The surge in background checks coincides with stricter federal immigration enforcement and tighter regulations affecting migrant labour. Many hotels rely heavily on migrant workers, especially in housekeeping and food service roles.
Changes in visa policies and work eligibility verification have prompted employers to adopt more rigorous screening processes.
Human resources departments are now more frequently verifying employee backgrounds to ensure legal compliance and to mitigate risks associated with undocumented workers.
This trend follows broader industry efforts to safeguard guest safety and maintain operational standards amid a complex labour market.
Impact on hotel recruitment and operations
The increase in background checks has added layers of complexity and time to hotel recruitment procedures. Employers face challenges in balancing timely hiring with thorough vetting.
Delays in onboarding due to extended verification can impact staffing levels, particularly during peak seasons.
Some hotel groups have responded by investing in streamlined background check technologies and partnering with third-party screening firms. This helps improve the efficiency of compliance checks while maintaining necessary labour standards.
Despite these efforts, recruitment bottlenecks remain a concern in regions with large migrant labour forces.
Broader implications for the hospitality sector
The rise in background checks reflects broader pressures on the U.S. hospitality industry related to labour shortages, regulatory compliance, and workforce stability.
As hotels strive to meet increased demand for travel and accommodation, ensuring a reliable and legally compliant workforce is becoming a priority.
Industry experts highlight that ongoing immigration debates and enforcement shifts will continue to shape hiring practices in hospitality.
Hotels are also expected to focus on training and retention strategies to reduce turnover and dependency on temporary migrant labour.
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