Thread: Marin County: IA Guatemalan says "no job" I'll go

Tough economy hits Marin day laborers
Jennifer Upshaw
Article Launched: 07/14/2008 07:38:26 PM PDT

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Orlando Mendez, a salesman at Kelly-Moore Paints in the Canal area, said... (IJ photo/Frankie Frost)

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For Daniel, a 35-year-old day laborer from Guatemala, every day begins the same. He stands in front of the Kelly-Moore paint store on Belvedere Street in San Rafael's Canal area seeking a drive-by employer.

Some days he finds work, some days he does not. Lately, it's been not.

"I'm three weeks without a job," the painter, who asked that his last name be withheld, said through an interpreter. "Every day, I'm here. I'm very sad about it."

When it comes to work, there is "nada - nothing now," said the father of four, whose wife and children in Guatemala used to receive up to $1,500 a month from him. Last month, he could only afford to send $200.

"I'm going to have to leave if there's no work," he said. "I'm going to have to go home."

As credit, housing, fuel cost and related woes ripple through the economy, business is slowing for many, especially day laborers who a year or two ago found work in the home construction, remodeling, painting and landscaping fields.

"There's a lot of people looking for jobs right now," said Douglas Mundo, executive director of the Canal Welcome Center.

Two weeks ago, the welcome center, with the help of several local churches, began offering free coffee, doughnuts and sandwiches to laborers, many of whom were going all day without a meal to stand outside waiting for work, he said. There have been plenty of takers, Mundo said.

He said in addition to the poor economy, potential employers are skittish thanks a federal crackdown

"I'm going to have to leave if there's no work," he said. "I'm going to have to go home."


I can't help but notice he used the word 'home.' Come here, get what you can and send it 'home.' When the party is over go 'home.'

Home is waiting for you...

yeah , Wa Wa he's a "Home Boy" in the wrong Country .

"I'm going to have to leave if there's no work," he said. "I'm going to have to go home."

We've been reading alot of these types of stories lately. Looks like the slow economy is partially making up for our unsecured borders and lack of enforcement during most of the Bush administration and causing at least some IAs to return home.

Of course, we know what will happen when the economy picks up. That's why we must permanently secure the border and have the political will to consistently enforce the law (and not by changing the law and legalizing IAs).

How much income tax you think this guy paid on that $1500 a month he used to send home to Guatemala? Why didn't Jennifer Upshaw ask this invader that question.

When it comes to work, there is "nada - nothing now," said the father of four, whose wife and children in Guatemala used to receive up to $1,500 a month from him. Last month, he could only afford to send $200.

Considering an unskilled person with a 6th grade education earns $3-4 a DAY ($30-40US a month), the $1500 he sent home made them EXTREMELY wealthy. What did his wife do with all that money? They should be rolling in it when he goes home, assuming she didn't blow it on on stupid crap. $200 a month is still a fortune! What's he using to support himself here, hmmm? NO SYMPATHY -GO HOME!

Originally Posted by miguelina

When it comes to work, there is "nada - nothing now," said the father of four, whose wife and children in Guatemala used to receive up to $1,500 a month from him. Last month, he could only afford to send $200.

Considering an unskilled person with a 6th grade education earns $3-4 a DAY ($30-40US a month), the $1500 he sent home made them EXTREMELY wealthy. What did his wife do with all that money? They should be rolling in it when he goes home, assuming she didn't blow it on on stupid crap. $200 a month is still a fortune! What's he using to support himself here, hmmm? NO SYMPATHY -GO HOME!

They are probably building a huge home with that money back in Guatemala. This guy was probably making close to $2000 a month since he also had to live on something while here. All tax free!

If I earn $5000 a month, I get to take home $3100 after taxes and still have to pay at the end of the year!

Who's the sucker!