Construction industry fears immigration crackdown
By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor
Construction companies are uneasy about their future as the federal crackdown on illegal immigration intensifies.
Construction company leaders in North Carolina say some workers are staying out of sight and not showing up for work due to the fear of deportation. The state’s percentage of immigrant construction industry workers is about 25%; nationwide that percentage is about 30%.
A Charlotte radio station spoke with two construction company owners that say employees have had to work overtime and on weekends because there are not enough workers due to fear of deportation. The situation is also making it more difficult for owners to plan for new projects.
An estimated 20% of construction workers nationwide are undocumented, but proposed deportations extend beyond undocumented immigrants, potentially affecting those with temporary work statuses. An AGC official says if the deportations do accelerate, more firms won’t be able to bid on projects due to a limited workforce.