Construction on Raleigh's new City Hall was at a standstill on Tuesday as word of immigration raids kept the majority of workers away. (Photo: Clayton Henkel/NC Newsline)
One of the first casualties of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s planned crackdown in the capital city was Raleigh’s new City Hall.
The $260 million building, which will be 17 stories when it’s complete, is being built on the site of the city’s former police station. Normally the site is buzzing with activity. On Tuesday morning, hours after word of the immigration raids spread, work was at a standstill. Heavy equipment was parked. Workers were scarce.
“Usually you have at least about 200 people on the site,” Bob Johnson, one of the few construction workers on the site, told NC Newsline.
Only a handful of workers were on site Tuesday. Even the operators of the food truck stayed away.He acknowledged that his co-workers were worried about ICE agents.
“There’s a lot that can’t be done. I mean, you have framing, electrical, you have guys working painting, you know, precast,” said Johnson. “There’s a lot of trades that are not here because of that situation.”
Johnson said the fear that the announced immigration raids generated was definitely holding up the work planned for this week.
“Well, we’re talking about losing profit. The project itself will be behind schedule because it can cause a chain of events when it comes to other workers and other trades as well,” he said.
While federal agents have said the raids are designed to target criminals, Johnson said most of the people he works with on the city hall project are here because they want a better opportunity until they can become legal.
“I definitely don’t shun them at all. They’re very helpful. They make up half of our workforce. This is a dying trade.”
CBP’s immigration raids not only affected the massive construction project, but the small food truck that normally provides drinks and meals for the workers. Johnson noted even they stayed away rather than venture into downtown Raleigh.
“And I just feel bad for the families that are dependent on the guys to work the hours,” Johnson said.
“You’re talking about fathers and brothers being the prime breadwinner for their home.”
Johnson said while he supports the overall goal of improving public safety, he would like to see a less disruptive approach, especially in a profession where immigrant workers are needed.
“Heck, if Americans won’t or can’t do [the work], why not give it to those that’s coming in? They’re doing a job for us.”
As the Border Patrol expands its enforcement efforts to Raleigh, Siembra NC said that there was little evidence that the operation conducted in Charlotte was targeting individuals with criminal records.
“Safety is created by community members looking out for each other and standing up for each other, not by masked federal agents who are here to create chaos and bring fear,” said Nikki Marín Baena, co-director of Siembra NC, in a prepared statement.
For many workers, the danger was not on the job site, but the fear of being swept up in a possible raid by Border Patrol agents. (Photo: Clayton Henkel/NC Newsline)Hence then, the article about federal immigration raids in raleigh impact one of the city s largest projects was published today ( ) and is available on NC news line ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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