COO Sonny Maken Addresses Membership on Immigration

Thank you for your continued engagement and your many years of membership with ABC. Your voice matters deeply, especially on critical issues like immigration and workforce development, and I want to offer a clear and candid response to your recent inquiries.

State vs. Federal Dynamics

Immigration is uniquely a federal issue—yet our industry often feels its impact at the state level. That tension has been particularly visible in Florida, where recent legislation such as the state’s mandatory E-Verify law has added complexity to an already strained labor market. ABC Florida East Coast has worked hard to ensure our members understand and comply with these laws, even as we recognize their unintended consequences on the workforce.

But the real lever for change is in Washington. That’s where ABC National, and your East Coast chapter, are advocating for practical immigration reforms—reforms that strengthen the construction workforce while maintaining our core belief in the merit shop philosophy.

What We’re Doing Federally

At the federal level, ABC-FEC with its team of lobbyists has supported policy proposals that would:

• Create legal pathways for foreign workers to enter the construction trades through temporary visa programs tied to actual industry needs.

• An idea that was born at our leadership retreat, we are pushing to link apprenticeship education to legalization, providing undocumented individuals with a structured and legal path to contribute to the workforce while gaining skills and credentials.

• Streamline work permit processes to reduce delays that leave employers and employees in limbo.

These are not easy fights. Immigration is politically charged and often gridlocked. But ABC Florida East Coast is at the table—and we’ve remained focused on pragmatic solutions that recognize the real labor needs of the construction industry.

What We’re Doing Locally

Closer to home, we are deeply involved in workforce placement—helping employers connect with legal, qualified workers and ensuring that apprenticeship remains a reliable pipeline of talent. At ABC Institute, we are placing dozens of individuals into jobs and into tuition-free construction education programs with progressive wages and job placement support. Our work in re-entry, second chance hiring, and apprenticeship helps solve workforce issues right now—even as we push for broader federal reforms.

A Word on Engagement

I want to be transparent about one other factor: progress is only possible when members like you are active participants in shaping our direction. At our recent strategic planning retreat—where workforce issues were voted as the number one concern—very few of our most vocal members attended. That’s a missed opportunity. We need your insights not just in emails but in the halls of DC and Tallahassee, on our legislative committee, at our political events and fundraisers and in the process, helping steer strategy.

A Final Thought

We take your concerns seriously, and we welcome your ideas, especially given your long-standing commitment to ABC FEC. But I also challenge you, as a leader and advocate, to help us refine how we respond and what you believe ABC leadership should be doing differently or more effectively. Let’s move the conversation toward action—together.

I’d be happy to continue this discussion one-on-one or at an upcoming event.

Best,

Sonny Maken, MBA, CCIM | Chief Operating Officer
Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter, Inc.
ABC Institute Apprenticeship College
ABC Service Corp.