December 14, 2023

"The New York Times spoke with more than 100 child roofers in nearly two dozen states, including some who began at elementary-school age."

"They wake before dawn to be driven to distant job sites, sometimes crossing state lines. They carry heavy bundles of shingles that leave their arms shaking. They work through heat waves on black-tar rooftops that scorch their hands. The rise of child roofers comes as young people are crossing the southern border alone in record numbers. Nearly 400,000 children have come to the United States since 2021 without their parents, and a majority have ended up working, The New York Times has reported in a series of articles this year. The most common job for these children is under-the-table work in roofing and construction, according to teachers, social workers, labor organizers and federal investigators. Roofing is plentiful and pays better than many of the other jobs these children can get."

From "Children Risk Their Lives Building America’s Roofs" (NYT).

"Children"... but not the NYT reader's children or grandchildren. The headline omits any reference to immigration.

67 comments:

Humperdink said...

Roofing labor has always been the cheapest construction cost labor wise. It also carries one of the highest worker's comp rates. No surprise under the table labor is utilized.

Enigma said...

NYT: What did you think you were going to get with this retrograde robber-baron, exploitation-friendly open-borders policy? You should have known better, and you did know better until Trump wanted to more effectively regulate the border.

In walking past many construction sites over the last several years, I've been struck by the racial composition of the construction workforce. It's easily 50% to 75% Hispanic, with the rest split between White, Black, and the rare Asian. This is in an area with many Black people in the workforce. What sort of cultural and incentivizing factors are in play? I see where this is going, as Hispanics are moving to join Asians in having "White privilege."

Leland said...

Does the NYT think there are laws that will be followed?

Dave Begley said...

All thanks to Joe Biden and the Dems.

Shame!

rhhardin said...

It looks like an imported hard work culture, to me.

Breezy said...

Our child labor laws must apply only to our citizens… Or are these those illegal immigrant children that are actually 19 or 20 yrs old?

Wilbur said...

The illegals are doing the work that young (working-age) men of today refuse to do. They're too busy staring at their phones.

tim maguire said...

By "children," they mean teenagers ready and willing to work hard for a paycheck. People who in other contexts are called young adults.

Todd said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
rehajm said...

Is that why Democrats oppose immigration laws? Cheap roofs?

John henry said...

To echo a couple others here, how old are these "children"?

If 18 this is perfectly legal and even admirable. Except how they got here of course.

14-18 may not be legal but I have no problem generally with teens working. I had a job in a Mcdonalds at 14.

My first thought reading the post was 10 year Olds. I am sure it was written to make me think that.

John Henry

rehajm said...

NYT spoke with 100 child roofers in nearly two dozen states…seeking the most competitive bids…

gilbar said...

BUT! the Chamber of Commerce says:
Illegal Immigration is GOOD! because "Illegals don't deserve minimum wage!"

Don't like Child Labor? QUIT bringing them into the country

gilbar said...

IF the democrats were the party of the working man, they'd be AGAINST illegal immigration
IF the unions were for the working man, they'd be AGAINST illegal immigration

the membership of the democrat party is AWFL
And Karen needs a new roof!

MadisonMan said...

Like others, I'm curious what age these "children" are -- but not so curious that I'll give money to the NYTimes. My friends back in the day were roofing as teenagers because $$$$. "Began at elementary-school age" is purposefully vague. Are they helping their Dad/Brothers by picking up nails, moving stuff around?
I also see a whole lot of people who my mind categorizes as Hispanic in the roofing trade here in Madison. I don't know how many teens I've seen, they seem mostly to be 30ish. Very hard work!

iowan2 said...

Biden has recruited over 6 million illegals in the United Stated. To clarify. The Democrat Party is carrying out a carefully crafted plan to flood the US with foreigners from across the globe. The Democrat Party is supportive of child labor, Human trafficking of children into child sex work, 14 year olds working the floors of slaughter houses. 30 people living in one house, promoting abject poverty. Encouraging homelessness. Democrats believe whoring out children, for potential votes is a great trade-off.

Everything the Dems touch turns to waste.
Energy policy
Border security
Education. (Dems have manage to create millions of anti Semites)
Elections
Foreign policy
Trade deals.
Proxy wars.

The list is long and depressing. Democrats agenda items are all failures for the People (however the Dems in DC are very proud of the outcomes)



Lem the artificially intelligent said...

It’s called under the table because it is not recorded on paper so that it can be taxed.

But the actual labor, roofing can’t be hidden from view.

Talk about an undertow of silence.

Where are the TikToks, where is the outrage?

NorthOfTheOneOhOne said...

The elite are sowing the seeds. If they are not stopped this will go full Cloward-Piven and woke mobs will be kicking in the door at MeadeHouse, hell bent on redistributing all of Ann and Meade's ill-gotten property to these poor, abused child roofers. It will be the ultimate Social Justice masturbatory act. The only bright spots, and those will be mighty dim, will be when some of those calling for this find out they're not so immune and their doors get kicked in.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

They seem less horrified by child slavery than they are about the prospect of a second Trump term. Ironically Trump’s border policy was effective in reducing this danger. Construction is one of the most dangerous work environments according to OSHA.

rhhardin said...

You have 10 yo girls carrying 80 pound bags of shingles onto roofs.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

You guys comparing this to your childhood friends must have overlooked the part where these kids were separated from their parents by cartel coyotes and smuggled here illegally and this is just the males. Do you even know what businesses the cartels sell the girls into?

Yeah I carried shingles up a ladder at twelve because my best friend’s dad had a construction company and we thought it was cool and would build muscles. But we also got to go home to our parents at night to a nice meal and clean sheets. These child slaves are worlds away and being exploited not cared for.

farmgirl said...

Vpr doesn’t speak of immigration.
They speak of Asylum seekers.

Duh.

Old and slow said...

I've seen 95 lb tweaker women carrying bundles of shingles up ladders. Those girls are wiry. If these kids are half as fit, and I'll just bet they are, I say let them at it! Have you priced new roofing installs recently? I have, and all this cheap labor does not seem to be trickling down.

Stopping illegal immigration does not require a wall. It only needs STRONG enforcement of labor laws, and an end to the "asylum" scam. No work, no welfare, no problem.

wendybar said...

So modern day Progressive slaves. That is what they are importing.

WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...

Biden imported slave labor and future democrat voters. all illegal per our immigration laws.
What an asshole.

Biden should be impeached for this. (along with his mobster money grubbing while VP)

The media mob and the elite mobsters protect their husk puppet because they are in on it, too.

Wince said...

Are we witnessing the genesis of a narrative at the NYT?

Biden is trying to ostensibly pivot on immigration in advance of the election.

Expect high profile "enforcement" actions against some employers in order to differentiate Biden from the natural consequences of his policies?

tommyesq said...

Immigrant child workers - doing the back-breaking work that native-born children won't do.

Boca Condo King said...

Imagine if the work was done not as well for twice as much by a native born American Shmuck.

Instead it's done by tax free labor, whom if injured will be dropped off at a hospital and left there.

WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...

child sex trafficking, drugs, crime, slave labor, cartels, millions of illegals allowed to just walk in (after being shuttled to the border) (these people did not walk across Mexico) & given joke court date papers.. - stop your complaining...

Hunter needs his easy money, coke and hooker fix.

HoodlumDoodlum said...

I wonder if the children in question are boys or girls.
Oh well; unlimited immigration is an economic boon, we're so lucky to have cheap labor like this!

SDN said...

"Wilbur said...
The illegals are doing the work that young (working-age) men of today refuse to do. They're too busy staring at their phones.

12/14/23, 6:11 AM"

Horse$h!t of the purest ray serene.

It's a simple matter of free market economics: American citizen children, when they can be hired at all, must be paid a wage set by law, and the employer must pay the "regulation tax" to hire them.

Illegals aren't handicapped by that.

PB said...

Way to go Joe.

Howard said...

I used to work for cash under the table doing all different types of construction and manual labor work when I was a child and into early adulthood.

The difference was I had an intact family household and I came back to you everyday to get a nutritious meal a hot shower and clean sheets to get a good night's rest.

Howard said...

This probably is very upsetting because it blows up the narrative that illegal immigrants are lazy consumers of our generous taxpayer resources.

What it boils down to is that anti-immigration feelings are fueled by The deadly sins of sloth anger envy and pride.

Anthony said...

I still can't help but scream a bit in my head seeing 'roofs' instead of 'rooves'.

Jeff Vader said...

Calling bullshit on this one

Gusty Winds said...

I replaced my roof this past fall with a local, reputable construction company. The entire crew was Mexican which I expected. Bought them food and drinks the two days they were at my house working. None of them looked under 18. But, with and uncontrolled border, there are no employment protections for undocumented immigrants.

That in the top 5 reasons the border should be controlled. Exploitation of those crossing.

Nobody is against immigrant labor. It needs to be controlled for their protection too.

They exploitation in the automotive supply chain is HUGE. It protects the OEM Unions.

Gusty Winds said...

Blogger Howard said...
This probably is very upsetting because it blows up the narrative that illegal immigrants are lazy consumers of our generous taxpayer resources.

Nobody says this. I can only assume you are pro immigrant exploitation and do not believe they deserve common employment protections. Workmans Comp, overtime, health insurance, short term disability... Are you pro-Child labor too? As long as they're Mexican? This doesn't bother you at all? That's completely RACIST.

If America needs labor then set up a controlled immigrant work visa program. Hold employers responsible. The current open border situation leaves all these immigrants vulnerable. Even the children.

Howard. You completely lack the ability to analyze anything deeper than the first bullshit layer.

Gusty Winds said...

Blogger Howard said...
I used to work for cash under the table doing all different types of construction and manual labor work when I was a child and into early adulthood.

Thanks for admitting you're a liberal tax cheat like Hunter Biden

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

Slave labor. Child smugglers. Do those words appear in the NYT article?

Marcus Bressler said...

Howard, like many liberals (and many conservatives also), admits to cheating the government out of its tax revenue. Isn't DJT accused of something like that? It's hard to keep up. My brother, a leftist, is the first one to ask a repairman: "Can I discount if I pay cash?" I am guilty of similar tax avoidance and cheating simply because I hate giving the government any more of the little money I have.
They just replaced the roof on the multi-building apartment complex I rent in. It was built in the 60s so I am not sure if this is the first time; it is in the process of being sold so maybe they did it because of that OR because the insurance company here in Florida told them to do it or else. Every one of the workers appeared to be Hispanic and I was surprised that many ate their lunch and then napped right on the hard concrete for the remainder of their lunchtime. Roofing is hard work here in the Sunshine State. I did it for two days as a 17 year old -- the only job I had that was worse than that (as a teen) was the two days I worked on the back of a garbage truck. It was my intention to quit my weekly newspaper job which paid $3.50 an hour for the $5/hr garbage route job (this was before plastic garbage bags and plastic garbage cans); it proved too hard for me physically (I was 145 lbs and skinny with little muscle tho I played high school football -- we were 0-11). I returned to my desk at the Beacon News, pretending it was fodder for my weekly column and had just neglected to tell the owner/editor that I would be gone for two days.

MarcusB. THEOLDMAN

Old and slow said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
RigelDog said...

What is this Dickensian nightmare?? These unaccompanied (including those who are accompanied by sketchy "relatives) minors are raped on the way here, raped when they get here, and then trafficked out to the sex trade or put to work as roofers and, what---chimney sweeps? Rare earth miners? Do these facts make it into any part of our national discussion of immigration?

Original Mike said...

"By "children," they mean teenagers ready and willing to work hard for a paycheck. People who in other contexts are called young adults."

Oh. Thanks for that. I was imagining 8 year olds hauling bundles of shingles up a ladder and thinking 'I don't believe it'.

Sebastian said...

"Nearly 400,000 children have come to the United States since 2021 without their parents"

A mark of the insanity. They should have been expelled immediately.

Joe Bar said...

Yes, this is all against federal, and state law. Yet we cannot mandate a national ID card system, or enact draconian fines against employers that hire illegals or underage people. We really do not want to solve this problem, do we?

Stop the jobs, and the illegals will stop trying to get in.

Yancey Ward said...

I didn't do it every day of every Summer, but I made pocket money roofing from age 13-22. I have done it when it was 100 F in the Summer and I did it once when it was 0 F over a Christmas break.

What the NYTimes is describing, if true, is human trafficking of slaves over our non-existent border.

Joe Smith said...

Roofing is brutal...I've done a bit of it.

I don't believe this story at all.

JT Neel said...

In 30 years of working construction the only children I ever saw on a construction site were the few that were there with their dads for various personal reasons. In the USA I have never seen a child working on a construction site.

Freeman Hunt said...

Is this regional? I have never seen a child roofer.

Dude1394 said...

And just think of the numbers of sex trafficked girls the Democrats have imported. Must be good for the pedophiles in hollywood and DC.

The Crack Emcee said...

If you can kill Palestinian kids then Mexican kids can be roofers.

Gerda Sprinchorn said...

"Children" here is defined as "under 18".

PM said...

I thought I'd be looking at 8-year-olds with loaded packs climbing out of South American emerald mines.

MacMacConnell said...

In what world does any roofer carry bundles of shingles up a ladder? Shingles are delivered to the roof by the supplier via a boom conveyor. I had a job in the 1960s picking up shingle and nails from tear offs. I was 14.

Tomcc said...

I'm not sure how to interpret this. Is the underlying message that this will not be tolerated in our socialist paradise?
I've done a little roofing years ago (measured in weeks, not months) and it is exhausting work. Immature children would not be capable of it, but young, mature males probably can.

Jim at said...

In what world does any roofer carry bundles of shingles up a ladder? Shingles are delivered to the roof by the supplier via a boom conveyor.

Yep. That's what immediately set off my BS detector when reading the piece.

Aggie said...

I was sacking groceries part-time at 15 and house-painting (and cashiering, and fire-wood cutting, and snowblowing) at 17 through university. Was I child labor too? I had no idea.

The NYT has become an exercise in unintentional self-satire.

Mason G said...

"Children" here is defined as "under 18".

The New York Times has advocated for having children vote, it would appear.

NYT: Why We Should Lower the Voting Age to 16 - By LAURENCE STEINBERG MARCH 2, 2018

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/02/opinion/sunday/voting-age-school-shootings.html

rcocean said...

"Nearly 400,000 children have come to the United States since 2021 without their parents, and a majority have ended up working,"

Oh they "Just came here". How, on a magic carpet? The NYT/Wapo/WSJ and the big donors LOVE cheap labor and open borders. And I'm sure Mitt Romney or Mitch McConnell would love to have a cheap 12 y/o "Immigrant" to serve their table and polish their car.

Yancey Ward said...

Mac,

We carried the pack of shingles up a ladder since we didn't have a boom conveyor. As I thirteen year-old, I could do it easily- by the time I was 18 I could take three packs at a time if I wanted to show off.

Roofing isn't hard work as construction work goes if the weather is nice. The most physically tasking part is shovelling the old shingles off the roof. Putting down the new ones is one of the easier construction jobs there is. You just need to wear protection for your skin since you can get badly burned on a sunny Summer day on the back of the neck and the backs of the hands (I learned this the hard way).

Marcus Bressler said...

Are child roofers known by their nickname of "roofies"?
Asking for Michael Jackson.

MarcusB. THEOLDMAN

Josephbleau said...

All homes, in the red or blue towns need new roofs, often for over $50,000 each. this is just the new boon of open border policy, as Nancy Polosi said, we need these people to pick our vegetables.

I have always put up new roofs myself in my houses, and my kids helped. The worst part is to take the old roof off, I rented an air compressor with an air hammer tool to do this, with ear plugs, then you need to inspect and replace rotted plywood deck. When a dad and his sons roof a house, and drink a few beers afterwards, you become a clan.

Bunkypotatohead said...

"Nearly 400,000 children have come to the United States since 2021"

Why hasn't that damn president Trump done anything about this? Can't he see the tears this brings to AOC?

Richard said...

Many years ago, an actually legacy network news show, the 630 kind, interviewed a black guy who had a big landscape contracting firm in LA. He wouldn't hire blacks. Only hispanics.
I think he had a reason for it.
Considering he was on national news, I suppose they were W2 employees and not cash-under-the-table types.
Ran into the same thing in other businesses. When you need more bodies and you go to the Home Depot parking lot, you have a choice to make. Interesting what people said about the choice.

Old and slow said...
This comment has been removed by the author.