Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft is providing more information following an illegal immigration raid at the construction site of the new Gulf Shores High School.
Craft said the City respects Homeland Security's efforts to keep the community safe.
"The action taken by the Homeland Security Task Force last week is part of an open investigation into private businesses under contract with the City," Craft stated. "The City is neither a target nor involved in this investigation. Therefore, we have no access to any documents or awareness of any of the investigation's facts beyond what is publicly reported."
The general contractor on the project, Rabren General Construction, told 1819 News the construction timeline of the high school would not be impacted after 36 workers were arrested from the site last week.
Rabren's contract with Gulf Shores mandates that the company use E-Verify to confirm the legal status of all workers, and the company also requires subcontractors to use E-Verify. Rabren told 1819 News the company complied with those requirements.
Craft addressed reports questioning the quality of construction on the new high school. He stated that the City is unaware of any evidence to support an issue with the construction. He stated that the City had taken additional steps to ensure "rigorous oversight" of architecture, engineering and construction.
He offered the following bullet points:
- The City hired renowned architectural and engineering firms to design the new high school. The architectural firm also monitors the project for compliance with the plans.
- The construction plans for the school were reviewed and approved by the Alabama Division of Construction Management (ADCM).
- The City hired a respected third-party engineering firm to manage the project, ensuring that the materials and inspections are conducted according to specifications. This third-party engineering firm has a continuous presence on the construction site while the site is under the control of the general contractor.
- The construction project is subject to meticulous inspection protocols, which the ADCM conducts. The City does not have the authority to approve any of the work on-site. These inspections occur at critical milestones during and after construction to ensure all State Building Codes are adhered to, and the ADCM will not issue a Certificate of Occupancy for any portion of the new Gulf Shores High School until all required inspections have been completed and passed.
Craft said he has not been notified or received any information following the operation. He said the City would cooperate with the investigation.
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