Anyone going to be worried about legal status when its time to hire people for the Gulf cleanup?

[NNN0LHI]

I bet no one is going to be asked for their "papers" when it comes to oil cleanup duty. And I bet no one is going to be complaining either.

I may be wrong about this but I doubt it.

All I know is if I were out of a job right now I would be preparing to head south. Going to be a lot of work along the Gulf states. Dirty and dangerous work. But its work. And someone has to do it.

Don

[Dappleganger]

1. Wouldn't be surprised

if things are done MUCH differently than during Katrina, which was inundated with illegals looking for work. I think that less illegals will be applying because of several recent stings (successful ones), as well as more awareness by those doing the hiring in that area.

[uppityperson]

2. side note, I really hate that phrase "illegals".

[IndianaJoe]

7. "undocumented" is the pc term. But I use "illegals" too.

Yet I consider myself a big friend of all Latinos, whatever their status.

[uppityperson]

9. illegal immigrants works, but "illegals" doesn't.

not trying to be pc, but using the whole phrase

[IndianaJoe]

16. Odd the nuances of language...

adding "immigrants" to me makes the subjects sound sort of impersonal...like members of a sociological study. More clinical, somehow.

"Undocumented immigrants" is similar, at least to my perception.

Labeling is necessary, I guess, to talk about a group. But I prefer "people" to any other term...

Maybe "paperless people" -- which is what they are... people without the proper "license" or "paperwork" to be here.

[IndianaJoe]

3. This looks bad enough that we could use all the help

we can get. Personally, I wouldn't mind illegals pitching in. I didn't mind it after Katrina either.

[EFerrari]

12. The problem with their labor after Katrina is that the vultures

who got the contracts let these folks work in toxic conditions with no protection. There are some really loathsome characters in this world.

[IndianaJoe]

18. Yup.

[Child_Of_Isis]

4. I doubt you are wrong. n/t

[scentopine]

5. Interesting perspective - never gave it a second thought. -nt

[scentopine]

6. duplicate reply removed -nt

[kiva]

8. Given the contiuing high unemployment numbers,

I'd say yes, there will be some concern about this - and I doubt that there will be a problem finding U.S. citizens willing to do that dangerous and dirty work. You're right, though, that many people will be heading south.

[pocoloco]

15. There are reports that many available hands from the fishing industry are

already lining up and filling out applications!

[Scuba]

10. This is why they like cheap labor

[dkf]

11. Doesn't the federal government require evidence of citizenship for employment?

I imagine anyone caught using illegal labor will be in big trouble.

[datasuspect]

13. parts of the monies will be in government contract to primes

who all use subs.

bp will subcontract lots of the work too.

just hook up with a small business that has a piece of some work from a prime contractor--the legalities get blurry in the often cash-basis world of hiring laborers.

the big money is coordinated at the top.

once it starts flowing to the street level of construction/remediation work, there will be lots of opportunities for everyone, regardless of immigration status.

[dkf]

19. Yet there are guidelines on the pay of federal contractors if I recall correctly.

[UTUSN]

14. K&R #1 for, best, most telling, funny Subject line in a long time!1

Well, not "funny" but in the "rueful" way.

After Katrina, "illegals" were MOST WELCOME, were worked slavishly, maybe were paid higher for a time, but probably were paid less overall, and reports were rampant that the slave owners would NOT pay them, then threaten to call Immigration or actually DID call Immigration on them.

[stray cat]

17. there will be complaints if its not union labor

[Bluebear]

20. Except from you.

[Iggo]

21. delete -- that was rude