Contractors are being forced to delay project timelines as more workers stay home to avoid ICE dragnets.
Washington, D.C. construction companies are noticing a significant shortage of workers and being forced to delay project timelines as many construction workers stay away from jobs in fear of deportation raids, reports Mimi Montgomery in Axios.
According to a survey by the Associated General Contractors of America and the National Center for Construction Education and Research, “92% of construction groups surveyed said they're having a hard time hiring workers.”
Some workers are refusing to drive work vehicles, while others are carpooling to avoid using public transit. “Many workers can't go to Home Depot or Lowe's for supplies anymore, as they're worried about ICE targeting these spots, multiple contractors say.”
The slowdown could soon start impacting the region’s housing market. “The cost of construction is already rising in the area due to tariffs and inflation — but if the local labor pool continues to dwindle, work will only get more expensive and projects will take longer, contractors tell Axios.”
FULL STORY: D.C. construction hits delays as Trump crackdown sparks worker fears
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