Undocumented workers in the construction industry are experiencing pay cuts and longer hours as a result of heightened immigration enforcement during the Trump administration. Rogelio, a tile setter in Tucson, reported that his employers reduced their rates by 30% to 40%. Many laborers face similar treatment, as contractors exploit their vulnerability. Advocates state contractors are abusing this situation by failing to pay fair wages. With a significant portion of the construction workforce being foreign-born, voices from the sector are calling for a reconsideration of harsh immigration policies that affect labor dynamics.
Rogelio, a tile setter, works for various contractors in the Tucson region and reported a drastic pay cut of 30% to 40% since Trump's return to office.
With 2.9 million US construction workers, including 34% foreign-born, construction sector lobbyists called for a softer immigration stance to address pay issues.
Advocates assert that some operators leverage Trump's immigration crackdown to underpay undocumented laborers, leading to blatant wage abuses in the construction industry.
Rogelio highlighted the fear among undocumented immigrants, stating they check the news daily to assess whether they can safely go to work.
Collection
[
|
...
]