Illegal workers eying the Gulf Coast

San diego Union ^ | Sept. 24, 2005 | Marcela Sanchez

[radar101]

When President Bush pledged last week that the Gulf Coast would become "one of the largest reconstruction efforts the world has ever seen," he suggested that an unprecedented investment of billions of federal dollars would transform the region not only physically, but socially. Bush said that "as many jobs as possible should go to the men and women who live in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama." Indeed, rebuilding the region – its levees, roads, energy grids, homes – is to become the work of those affected by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

So far, however, the government has acted in ways that would seem to encourage a different segment of the U.S. population to do this work. On Sept. 8, Bush issued an executive order lifting the Davis-Bacon Act mandating that construction workers on federal contracts be paid at least the average wage in the region. The decision was followed days later by a Homeland Security Department announcement that it will not apply sanctions toward employers who hire people unable to provide proper documentation.

[radar101]

The Vultures circle in

[Ciexyz]

Bump with no comment

[Piquaboy]

I am sure that a lot of them are on their way already.

[DumpsterDiver]

The Vultures circle in

Indeed they do.

September 4, 2005 - Conroe City [TX] Councilman Jay Ross Martin - evacuees seeking temporary work should go to the day labor site... they probably have a better chance now because a lot of the normal [illegal] workforce has been picked up to do cleanup efforts in the affected areas..

September 4, 2005 - President Fox said... "The reconstruction of that city and of that region is going to require a lot of labor. And if there is anything Mexicans are good at, it is construction."

September 8, 2005 - Bush suspended the Davis-Bacon Act's application to federally funded construction projects in the Gulf Coast areas hit by Hurricane Katrina.

September 9, 2005 - Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao, "There will be a huge construction boom in the wake of Hurricane Katrina that will create thousands of jobs for Americans."

September 10, 2005 - Feds Relax Hiring Rules For Storm Vicitims Who Lost Documentation: employers can simply state a potential worker was unable to provide documents because of the hurricane, according to a Homeland Security spokesperson. The policy is being implemented nationwide and subject to review in 45 days. - Thread

September 13, 2005 - Much of the work in Biloxi is being done by undocumented foreign workers. "If we are working and helping to raise this city, at least they should give us a work visa," said Manuel Armenta, a 44-year-old Mexican... - Thread

[DumpsterDiver]

ping

[cripplecreek]

The Lousiana purchase must have been a rental agreement.

[Dane]

Yeah those evil vultures who do such evil things as rebuild buildings and get the local economy back on track.(rolling eyes)

[Vinnie]

A huge portion of the New Orleans evacuees are on welfare.
The government should insist that able workers on welfare put in labor in the rebuilding.

[Types_with_Fist]

How hard was it to see this one coming

[libertyhoundusnr]

I lost the first floor of my house in Ocean Springs. After a couple days of struggling to demolish the drywall and clean up the mess, I made to the local Middle school. There I found several healthy youths who looked physically capable of working. I offered cash, more than the local going rate, not one of the little darlings was interested in working. Some tough street smart Florida boys showed up the next day and are still working around the area. Next time the local schools have a fund raiser I might mention this as I toss their order sheets in the street.
The only Illegals I have encountered are the ones trying to search through the trash for financial records or something with a SSN. Our neighborhood watch has evolved into a heavily armed militia.

[DumpsterDiver]

How hard was it to see this one coming

Ray Charles could've seen it coming.

[cripplecreek]

"The government should insist that able workers on welfare put in labor in the rebuilding."


Absolutely. Having the locals rebuild helps to connect them to the community. People who feel a connection to their communities tend to value it and are protective of it.

I know a guy in Jackson Mi. who did 3 separate stints in prison on various drug charges. When he went to prison for the 3rd time he saw that he was there with one of his sons and two of his nephews who had idolized him. He realized that he was the source of that cycle and only he could break it. He got into building trades in prison and convinced his relatives to do the same so they could go into business when they all got out.

These days my friend runs a thriving construction business hiring mostly his family and neighbors. He's extremely proud of his grandson who has gone into the marines and intends to become a cop when he's out. He still lives in a bad neighborhood but it's getting better little by little.

[libertyhoundusnr]

The city council of Pascagoula announced that no out-of-state workers will be utilized until all the local Pascagouls folks are working. This may take awhile. They have a large segment of the population that hasn't worked in several generations (except in chain gangs). This should be amusing.

[MissAmericanPie]

Yeah, at wages that drive Americans from the competition. Fifteen illegals sharing an apartment are a much better hire than an American supporting a family.

[jer33 3]

Great story. Thanks for posting.

[joesnuffy]

It's WPA labor time...

So why give jobs to illegal invaders?

[joesnuffy]

Its always ironic when government agencies have names
that are in almost direct opposition to what it is they actually do.

[cripplecreek]

I send business his way whenever I get the chance. So far I haven't heard any complaints.