Undocumented workers ‘will be linchpin’ in Hurricane Ike cleanup efforts.»

[babylonsister]

Lou Dobbs, what say you?

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/09/25/ike-immigrants-cleanup/


Undocumented workers ‘will be linchpin’ in Hurricane Ike cleanup efforts.»

The Houston Chronicle reports today that “Hurricane Ike’s destruction is sparking one of the largest rebuilding efforts the state has seen in decades but at the same time is highlighting a thorny facet of the region’s labor force: A lot of the recovery work will be done by illegal immigrants“:

Homeowners have already turned to day laborers — many of whom are undocumented — to help clear brush, tent roofs and repair other storm damage. Contractors have hired them to rebuild or restore businesses and the city’s infrastructure.

And the major work of rebuilding small towns along the Gulf Coast or big homes in Galveston will likely be aided by undocumented workers.

The Federation for American Immigration Reform — a group seeking to stop illegal immigration — said that those affected by the storm “should have first crack at the reconstruction jobs,” but one local contractor said “he’s having trouble finding legal local workers to help with hurricane cleanup.”

[BOSSHOG]

1. Just like Katrina

I really have trouble with "Patriots" proclaiming that hard working Americans would do those jobs, they'd just have to be paid more. I don't buy that argument at all.

[babylonsister]

2. I don't either, and think immigrants are important for so many reasons.

Why we treat them like crap is beyond me. (Not me personally, but you get my drift)

[w4rma]

5. In what way do "we" treat *legal* immigrants like crap? (nt)

[babylonsister]

7. I didn't say 'legal'. nt

[Lance_Boyle]

9. interesting, as illegal aliens are not 'immigrants' n/t

[babylonsister]

10. 'Undocumented workers'

presumes they're illegal immigrants or aliens, but I cannot stomach that term. They're not from another planet.

And an immigrant is "a person who migrates to another country, usually for permanent residence." You're saying they're not immigrants?

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/immigrant

[w4rma]

11. I'm saying not all immigrants are illegal, nor should people be defined as mere "workers".

I can see why you might not like the term 'aliens'. But, the immigrants you are talking about are the ones whom are here illegally, therefore you need to differentiate between immigrants who are here legally and illegally. The best, most neutral, term I know of is 'illegal immigrants'.

[ogneopasno]

3. Yep, there are plenty of homegrown suckers

who'll frame houses 12 hours a day for $10/hour cash and a cell phone.

[BOSSHOG]

4. Those suckers

wouldn't do it for 50 bucks an hour but they'd make the effort to berate those that do it for practically nothing.

[ogneopasno]

6. Aaand there are those doing it for $38/hour berating those who do it for practically nothing.

Not all those complaining are racist.

[BOSSHOG]

8. Relative to an illegal immigrant force

would such a thing exist if someone did not hire them? Complaints should be directed towards those who are providing the jobs if indeed there is any credence in such complaints.

[shadowknows69]

12. one local contractor said “he’s having trouble finding legal local workers to help

Bullshit, you mean you're having trouble finding people who want to work for slave wages for back breaking work.