[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Armistead

Illegals took over the construction market. I worked for a large commercial paint contractor for 22 years as a estimator/project manager. In the 80's we had over 200 US employees, paid a good wage, benefits, etc. As years passed, became hard to compete. Basically a legal Mexican would open up, hire about 20% legals, 80% illegals. They saved a fortune in work comp, paid about half the wage, no taxes, unemployment, just cash under the table. I know one legal that had a trailer park, housed probably 12 people per single wide, worked them for nothing.

To stay in business, you had to fire most your workers and hire Mexican sub contractors. In our town, in the 80's, you had several large in house large contractors....they're all gone, most illegals just work out of a home garage, dump all their leftover chemicals on the ground, etc.

This happened with several non licensed skill trades, painters, drywall, framers, bricklayers, etc...

When I opened my business, I was forced to do the same, basically a paper contractor that hired subs, most were legal, just worked illegals for nothing. They're numerous ways to get around it.

There are ways around that as well. Here in MD the Officals conduct raids on suspected business owners who are hiring illegals. The business owner receives heavy fines. Enough to put them out of business in some cases. The behavior of the business owners needs to change as well. Home owners need to change their behavior. Contracting on Jose without insurance or license can be a major headache if something goes wrong. We tend to point at the illegal all the time when it is of our own doing that causes these problems.