Economy experts interviewed by FOX 17 News warn that deporting immigrant workers could harm the economy, including locally.
Carlos, an undocumented worker from Mexico, says he is not taking jobs from others. Instead, he is doing work that many people are unwilling to do. He recalls his role in helping build a high-rise in downtown Nashville, dangling from the top of the building during construction.
Carlos works nearly 60 hours a week, five days a week, in construction.
“It’s a job everyone could do, but often they don’t want to,” he explained.
For safety reasons, Carlos asked not to show his face or use his last name. He fears trouble due to his undocumented status.
He came to the U.S. seeking a better life for himself and his family. However, that opportunity may be at risk due to President Trump’s deportation plans, which could send him back to Mexico.
“I believe if people are behaving well, they shouldn’t be deported,” Carlos said.
According to the American Immigration Council, industries such as construction, agriculture, and hospitality would suffer the most from deportations.
Andy Borchers, a professor of management at Lipscomb University, warned that deportations could significantly impact the economy.
“If the supply of immigrant workers is disrupted through deportations or fear of deportation, it will drive up costs for employers and lead to inflation,” he said.
Steve Gill, an attorney and conservative commentator, argued that immigrants who enter the U.S. illegally are harmful to the economy. He believes that employers struggling to fill jobs, especially hard-to-fill positions like Carlos’s, should instead offer higher wages to American citizens.
While raising wages for construction workers may increase costs, Gill suggested another solution.
“If we help people here illegally return to their home countries and then bring in workers legally, we can adjust the process if more workers are needed,” he said.
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