Thread: Low-wage jobs in Austin draw immigrants

(Part 2 of 4: Immigration in Austin) Low-wage jobs draw immigrants
http://www.austindailyherald.com/articl ... /news2.txt
By KATIE JOHNSON/katie.johnson@austindailyherald.com

Gaudensio Herrera waits patiently for the cars exiting Quality Pork Processors to pass before he crosses the street to his 3 p.m. shift at the plant, where he cuts hog bellies with a tool called a whizzer knife.

At 42 years old, Herrera lives with his cousin in Austin and sends home a portion of his low-wage paycheck to his wife and three children in Guerrero, Mexico, a coastline state bordering the Pacific Ocean.

He said it was “very difficultâ€

ICE needs to be made aware of this story

Plants like Hormel Foods, QPP and Austin Packaging Company employ large numbers of them; however, businesses don't have exact numbers for how many work at their plants.

I'll never buy products from these companies again

Herrera is one of an undetermined number of immigrants who made the journey to the U.S. to find a better life. Communities like Austin provide low-skill jobs, and even though they may not pay much, it is an improvement over the tough economy, poor education and lack of opportunity in their native countries.

Why exactly do they figure it's our job to fix their economy???!!!
And I'm sorry - but that song has played waaayyyy too many times, and I just can't seem to muster up any sympathy any more!!

[quote]“You are expected to work and stay in your trailer, and go back home in two years,â€