Offering Undocumented Immigrants a Path to Legal Status Will Put an End to Unfair Competition and Labor Exploitation, But Bill Fails to Create a Construction Worker Visa Program, Has Other Flaws
The Associated General Contractors of America鈥檚 chief executive officer, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to the introduction in Congress today of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021:
鈥淭he proposed new immigration bill provides long-needed reforms to the nation鈥檚 flawed approach to immigration. By proposing to protect the legal status of so-called 鈥淒reamers鈥 and immigrants participating in the Temporary Protected Status program, the measure will allow more than 100,000 people to continue working lawfully in the construction industry. In addition, the bill鈥檚 efforts to provide a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants will, if enacted, help eliminate the exploitation of undocumented workers by unscrupulous employers that puts our member firms at an unfair competitive disadvantage.
鈥淗owever, the bill鈥檚 lack of a year-round, work visa program for construction workers makes it likely that many more will seek to enter the country unlawfully, especially in times of strong economic growth. The measure鈥檚 whistle blower provisions create perverse incentives for undocumented workers to make unsubstantiated workplace allegations simply to secure protected status within the domestic workforce.
鈥淢oving forward, we will work with Congress to address the bill鈥檚 significant flaws as we work to protect or provide legal status for many who currently work in the construction community so they can continue to support economic growth and development.鈥