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WASHINGTON--No stranger to controversy, mega builder and presidential candidate Donald Trump is now under fire for making inflammatory comments about immigrants.
He’s called Mexican immigrants rapists and criminals, but is apparently relying on undocumented workers to finish his $200 million luxury hotel project in Washington, D.C., according to a recent Washington Post article.
In responding to The Post article, the billionaire real-estate mogul and former reality-TV star told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that he could not “guarantee” that all the workers he employs have legal status in the country.
He also warned that if he were to discover any undocumented immigrants working for him he would, “get rid of them immediately.”
Organization, Contractor Statements
In a statement to The Post, the Trump Organization said its hiring practices and workforce complies with U.S. immigration laws.
Moreover, Lend Lease, the construction manager for the Trump project—a transformation of the 114-year-old Old Post Office—said it required all contractors who work on the project to follow applicable federal, state and local laws.
The Post reported that many of the laborers were from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.
Some of the workers told the news bureau that they had entered the United States illegally and have since become U.S. citizens, but a few had not done so.
The workers have feared losing their jobs in light of Trump’s opinions on immigration, the report said.
Campaign Pledge
Trump, a Republican, launched his presidential campaign June 16.
“We are going to make our country great again,” he said in announcing his bid.
If elected, Trump pledged to build an “impenetrable” wall along the country’s southern border with Mexico.
Outraged by Trump’s stance on immigration, a few companies, including Macy’s and NBC, have announced that they will no longer do business with him.
To those parties, he said, “Here’s the good news. I’m very rich. The money you’re talking about is a lot, but it’s peanuts for me,” according to CNN.
Trump also said he would self-fund his campaign.
The Project
The Old Post Office building is to be transformed into the Trump International Hotel, featuring 272 guestrooms, averaging more than 600 square feet each, making them the largest in the capital.
Demolition at the site began in September 2014, and construction started at the end of January.
Rooms will feature restored historic millwork, huge windows, crystal sconces and chandeliers, according to a project description.
The redevelopment is set for a mid-2016 completion, according to Lend Lease.
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