Scott Bettridge was quoted in a recent The Real Deal article discussing the impact of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown on employers and the construction industry in South Florida. It highlights how increased immigration enforcement, especially by ICE, has created widespread fear among immigrant workers, both undocumented and those with legal status, leading to fewer job opportunities and a chilling effect on hiring practices. This crackdown, combined with existing labor shortages and pandemic-related workforce reductions, is causing delays and increased costs in construction projects. The article also notes how local governments and state policies, such as those implemented by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, exacerbate the situation, resulting in harsh detentions and disrupted labor supply chains.

Scott describes the situation as a “Kafkaesque ordeal,” highlighting how companies, especially those relying on subcontractors, are caught between micromanaging paperwork to avoid liability and risking hiring undocumented workers if they don’t. Bettridge explains, “You can ask your [subcontractors] for assurances, but how deep do you want to go? If you micromanage, you risk being considered their direct employer. But if you don’t, you’re gambling that their paperwork is clean.”

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