Thread: CA: Day labor dwindles

Day labor dwindles

Some immigrants hurt by economy
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 03/16/2008 09:11:42 PM PDT


SAN BERNARDINO - In the best of economic times, it's tough being a day laborer.
With the economy slumping, it's nearly impossible.

"There's very little work. It's very bad," said Juan Rosales, a 64-year-old illegal immigrant from El Salvador.

Standing with a handful of day laborers on a sidewalk in front of the Home Depot in north San Bernardino, Rosales said he is lucky to bring home $150 a week doing construction work. That's about half the amount he used to make when the economy was robust.

On a recent weekday morning, about 50 men clustered in small groups waited for contractors and homeowners to drive by and offer them temporary jobs as gardeners, plumbers, painters, carpenters and construction workers.

There were few offers and even fewer jobs.

"We're becoming desperate," said Roberto Panuco, a 57-year-old immigrant from Durango, a state in northern Mexico.

Panuco said he became a U.S. citizen about a decade ago, but has had trouble recently finding a regular job.

"I've applied for work at construction companies, but there's nothing," he said.

Because of the grim job situation in this country, Panuco travels back to his hometown in Mexico to work in farming a few months out of the year.

"Right now, the U.S. is the same as Mexico, as far as jobs are concerned," he said.

Despite their job troubles, day laborers don't get any compassion from opponents of illegal immigration. Many - but not all - of the estimated 100,000 day laborers looking for work in the country on a given day are illegal immigrants.

"I have no sympathy for day laborers who are displacing American workers and driving down wages," said Raymond Herrera of Victorville, Minuteman Project national rally spokesman. "They are criminal illegal aliens who are part of the cancer that is taking over society as a whole."

As more Americans lose their homes and jobs because of the economic downturn, day labor advocates worry that the backlash against day laborers could get ugly.

Earlier this month, a handful of anti-illegal-immigration activists appeared at a Pomona City Council meeting to demand closure of the city's day labor center.

The activists - some of whom were members of the Minuteman Project - accused council members of committing treason by not doing anything to stop illegal immigration.

One speaker, Upland resident Jan Smedley, said Pomona has become a "cesspool" that is overrun by illegal aliens who carry contagious diseases.

"So many people are hurting right now," said Jose Calderon, a professor of sociology and Chicano studies at Pitzer College in Pomona. "It's an easy time to put all the blame on immigrant workers."

Since Pomona's day labor center opened in 1997, Calderon's students have been involved in teaching English and participating in service projects to help the workers.

Many day laborers have learned computer skills and received health services at the center. The workers were part of three major citizenship drives last year in which more than 3,000 people in the community applied to become citizens, Calderon said.

"The workers have been part of cleanups and various projects where they have contributed their time," said Calderon, a member of the board of directors of the nonprofit Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, as the day labor center is commonly known. "They've been an essential part of the community for a long period of time."

Suzanne Foster, executive director of the day labor center, said the number of people getting jobs at the center has dropped from about 850 to 550 a month because of the economic slowdown.

The day labor center is open to anyone looking for work, regardless of immigration status.

"We are a resource for all residents of our community when they've been laid off or need extra work on weekends," Foster said. "We also help people who don't have enough education or skills to be competitive in a tighter economic market."

http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_8597780

"Right now, the U.S. is the same as Mexico, as far as jobs are concerned," he said.

Has it happened already?
We used to go to the Unemployment office to look for day work. Being white and a vet meant I didn't get any work. I have no sympathy for these guys.
Imagine.....$150 a week. Unbelievable.

Illegals also compete with each other. There is too many of them competing for fewer jobs. Remember the Gold Rush. Nothing last forever.

The number of DL's standing on corners in L.A. has tripled and quadrupled in the last 6 months; and crime is going through the roof! They aren't going back to Mexico, unfortunately. They have a lean and hungry look, and we all have to be aware of our surroundings. Take extra precautions!

Wonder when Laraza and like organizations will start supporting their beloved illegals? How long can they stay unemployed before heading home?

The economic climate in CA is dire enough now, what happens as it gets worse? There's only so much money to go around and charity only goes so far. What is Laraza doing to convince these people it's time to go home?

What scares me is something has got to give and if it does, I hope it's well before election day. More Americans need to be aware of how much of our tax dollars are spent in Illegal Aliens.