ubject: Enacting Local Code to Ensure Legal Compliance in Contractor Labor Practices

To the Arlington City Council:

We, the undersigned residents of Arlington, Texas, hereby petition the City Council to implement new regulations requiring all contractors operating within our city to verify and provide proof of legal employment status for every laborer, including subcontractors, working on residential and commercial properties.

The Current State of Concern

The State of Texas has declared a disaster in response to the ongoing border crisis, which has exacerbated issues related to undocumented labor across the state.

Texas.gov
As elected representatives of Arlington's citizens, it is your responsibility to address local impacts of this crisis. Currently, an overwhelming portion of residential construction labor in Arlington, particularly in the roofing and general contracting industries, involves undocumented workers. D Magazine
 This practice compromises public safety, drives unfair competition for law-abiding businesses, and undermines trust in local governance. 

Our Request

We demand the Arlington City Council take swift and decisive action by introducing and enacting city codes that:

Mandate Employment Verification: Require contractors to prove that all workers employed on Arlington properties are legally documented to work in the United States. This can be enforced through the federal E-Verify system or equivalent verification methods.
Strengthen Contractor Accountability: Enforce penalties, such as fines, permit revocations, or bans on future work, for contractors found to employ undocumented labor.
Conduct Random Inspections: Empower city inspectors or designated units to conduct unannounced audits of construction sites to ensure compliance with immigration and employment laws.
Educate and Protect Homeowners: Launch initiatives to inform Arlington residents of the risks associated with hiring contractors who use undocumented labor, providing tools to verify contractor compliance.
Why This Matters

Safety and Security: The correlation between undocumented labor and increased crime rates is well-documented.

New York Post
By enforcing stricter employment verification, Arlington can reduce criminal activities often associated with illegal labor practices. 
Economic Fairness: Law-abiding contractors are at a disadvantage when competing against those who exploit undocumented labor, driving down wages and harming Arlington’s local economy.

D Magazine
 
Rule of Law: Arlington citizens deserve leaders who uphold federal and state laws, including immigration laws, which reflect the values of our community and country.
Supporting Our Local Economy and Sovereignty

We align with President Donald J. Trump’s emphasis on strong borders and lawful practices as a means of safeguarding our nation’s economy and security. Arlington’s policies should reflect this commitment by protecting its residents from the repercussions of unchecked illegal employment.

Conclusion

By voting for this petition, the Arlington City Council demonstrates its dedication to the citizens it serves, ensuring their safety, economic stability, and trust in governance. Failure to act on this critical issue equates to neglecting the very laws and values upon which our community thrives.

We urge you to adopt this proposal promptly and take necessary measures to safeguard Arlington’s future.