Border-Wall Bidders Plead for Trump's Help to Fend Off Opponents
- Cities are taking action to deny business to wall contractors
- Builder lobby wants Justice Department to sue cities, states
Prototypes for U.S.-Mexico border walls stand in San Diego, California, on Oct. 30, 2017.
Photographer: Daniel Acker/BloombergConstruction companies worried about a backlash for working on President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall are pushing for federal protections, including stopping cities and states from penalizing them, as a new battle erupts over his crackdown on illegal immigration.
The Associated General Contractors of America wants Attorney General Jeff Sessions to sue to prevent states and localities from denying contracts or divesting from companies that participate in wall construction. The group also wants assurances that local authorities will provide reasonable protection for workers and equipment on job sites, as well as contractor reimbursement for security costs or damage from vandalism.