Arrival of aliens ousts U.S. workers

Washington Times ^ | 04-10-06 | Jerry Seper

[Klickitat]

An Alabama employment agency that sent 70 laborers and construction workers to job sites in that state in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina says the men were sent home after just two weeks on the job by employers who told them "the Mexicans had arrived" and were willing to work for less.

Linda Swope, who operates Complete Employment Services Inc. in Mobile, Ala., told The Washington Times last week that the workers -- whom she described as U.S. citizens, residents of Alabama and predominantly black -- had been "urgently requested" by contractors hired to rebuild and clear devastated areas of the state, but were told to leave three job sites when the foreign workers showed up.

"After Katrina, our company had 70 workers on the job the first day, but the companies decided they didn't need them anymore because the Mexicans had arrived," Mrs. Swope said. "I assure you it is not true that Americans don't want to work.

"We had been told that 270 jobs might be available, and we could have filled every one of them with men from this area, most of whom lost their jobs because of the hurricane," she said. "When we told the guys they would not be needed, they actually cried ... and we cried with them. This is a shame."

[mtbopfuyn]

But, but we've been told they only do the jobs Americans won't!!!

Bush lied, Americans lost jobs.

[SR 50]

I believe this story and believe there are many others like it. GO AFTER THE EMPLOYERS OF ILLEGALS, they are the ones that are un-american.

[chris1]

I am so close to favoring impeachment. Think about it, we literally will have millions of foreigners in the streets demanding all sorts of things and a president who refuses to do his job because he is wedded to big business and slave labor. This garbage is unprecedented.

[stopem]

"Mrs. Swope said employment agencies throughout Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi faced similar problems, when thousands of men from Mexico and several Central and South American countries -- many in crowded buses and trucks -- came into the three states after Katrina, looking for employment and willing to work for less money. The number of foreign workers who flooded the area after the hurricane has been estimated at more than 30,000. Many of them have been identified by law-enforcement authorities and others as illegal aliens.

Coming in crowded buses? our govt is allowing the importing of illegals cheap labor, they are importing POVERTY! Can that be good for America, for American workers? 30,000 coming into our country aren't exactly sneaking in now are they?

[Dane]

Bush lied, Americans lost jobs.

Hi DUmmie and I bet if you got your butt from behind the keyboard and down to New Orleans you could find a job in a second.

[Wolfie]

"the Mexicans had arrived" and were willing to work for less.

There it is. Bush knows who his master is.

[APFel]

Did you bother to read the article?

APf

[mtbopfuyn]

Hi DUmmie and I bet if you got your butt from behind the keyboard and down to New Orleans you could find a job in a second.

Back off, Jack. Look at your tagline and tell us all again what Bush has done to stop illegals.

[stopem]

Remember our House and Senate are about to commit the biggest crime against America and Americans by passing a travesty of a bill and we are helpless to do anything about it.

The illegal liberal aliens are allowed to hold our streets hostage and in massive numbers again and again and again and they aren't stopped.

Hundreds of thousands of people taking our streets in numbers that are absolutely outrageous and no one is stopping them, they are throwing bottles at Americans and no one is stopping them.

Their obscene numbers are NOT impressive they are outrageous and meant to intimidate us and to show how fast they can organize to attack.

[Nephi]

Hi DUmmie and I bet if you got your butt from behind the keyboard and down to New Orleans you could find a job in a second.

He's a "DUmmie" because he has taken a popular liberal rant and turned it into a rant with ring of truth to it? Are you saying you've never heard President George W. Nixon utter the words, "...jobs Americans won't do."?

[Dane]

Are you saying you've never heard President George W. Nixon utter the words, "...jobs Americans won't do."?

You are a native born American, how come you are not doing construction or picking vegetables.

[DustyMoment]

Hmmph!! Sounds like some Americans REALLY WERE wanting the jobs that "Americans won't do" and got sent home in favor of the illegals.

Something is terribly amiss with our system, today, and I thank God that my father and most of his WWII comrades are no longer alive to see what has happened to the America they fought to protect and defend. Right now, they must all be spinning in their graves at what is happening to our country.

[Drew68]

I believe this story and believe there are many others like it. GO AFTER THE EMPLOYERS OF ILLEGALS, they are the ones that are un-american.

Exactly. Construction used to be a good job for a man with a limited education and a strong back who was willing to work hard. Such a man could support his family in a solid, middle-class lifestyle slinging a hammer. I know. I worked construction in college and the pay was outrageous.

Now the industry has been taken over by illegals willing to work for a fraction of what Americans were paid. Funny, I haven't seen housing prices plummet as a result. Why? Because the builders still bill the same for the work, they just pocket the difference in wages paid out to their employees, openly breaking the law with a smile on their face and a mountain of cash in their bank accounts.

[GarySpFc]

Dane almost everyone on these boards is well aware you are the mouthpiece for imported slave labor.

[Nephi]

Idiot, did you read the article. It wasn't about me. It was about other Americans and it revealed that "jobs Americans won't do" is a lie.

[Dane]

Dane almost everyone on these boards is well aware you are the mouthpiece for imported slave labor

Imported slave labor? First of all can you show me where the employer has title over an employee and is considered the employer's property and if that employee left for any reason would be considered a fugitive? You can't, but nice try at a straw man and second if anything I'm a mouthpiece for people who do good things such as build buildings and grow food and don't as some do on FR consider them automatically, "evil".

[ConsentofGoverned]

Bush has done us a favor with his globalism/free trade/open borders: these three all go together folks.
Perhaps enough Americans will begin to see the Harm the do gooders in higher Ed (ivy league) and CFR had done by brain washing our leaders (GOP< DEMORAT<CORPERATE (They truly believe millions of illegals here and the move to a one world government will avoid wars and provide higher living standards world wide) They cannot be reasoned with for THEY THINK THEY ARE SAVING THE WORLD..Ask yourself why so many Senators and are very President BUSH insult the Minute Men while keeping the borders open..Any IVY LEAGUE educated politico will have been brain washed into sell out of OUR Constitution (ala Supreme court justices now citing foreign laws to changer OUR Constitution) Americans need to wake up before these Manchurian candidates destroy our Republic.

[Dane]

Idiot, did you read the article. It wasn't about me. It was about other Americans and it revealed that "jobs Americans won't do" is a lie.

Really then why are there tons of jobs still in Katrina hit areas.

[Dane]

Any IVY LEAGUE educated politico will have been brain washed into sell out of OUR Constitution (ala Supreme court justices now citing foreign laws to changer OUR Constitution) Americans need to wake up before these Manchurian candidates destroy our Republic

Yeah, Alito and Roberts are in the same judicial vein as Breyer and Ginsberg.(eyes rolling)

[ClaireSolt]

So they subvert every labor law, and then they claim the right to sue. Give me a break. "Two class-action lawsuits are pending in federal court in New Orleans in which thousands of migrant workers said they never were paid, although many worked 12-hour shifts, seven days a week and were required to remove toxic contamination from hurricane-ravaged buildings.

The big differance is that the agency has to comply with workman's comp, unemployment insurance, and probably bonding of workers.

[Coldwater Creek]

When we went to visit out children in So. Alabama, I was shocked to see the area just flooded with Mexicans. I do not know if they were legal or not.

I live in the Memphis area and if I had a choice I would hire Mexicans to do construction work. At least they show up and do a good job, not so with the locals.

I am in the restoration business and most of the time if I hire help I have to redo the job myself.

[Dane]

The big differance is that the agency has to comply with workman's comp, unemployment insurance, and probably bonding of workers

Every agency and contractor has to comply with that, but the story that isn't being told is that there are still a ton of jobs for construction in Katrina hit areaa.

[Leatherneck_MT]

There you go again

[tkathy]

A perfect opportunity for the republicans to go to the unions and say, "this will be the end of unions and the end of decent paying jobs". (which is the truth)

[Leatherneck_MT]

He doesn't bother to read, he just flames and attacks.

[Coldwater Creek]

Well then you had better find grounds for impeachment.

There is one thing that you had better understand loud and clear, and that is this President has kept you safe from another terrorist attack.

You are just like the Katrina whiners.

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

In defence of Dane, I can sort of see his point. Have you read this: The Future of North American Integration in the Wake of the Terrorist Attacks. If not, then you should!!

One Freeper so aptly posted in response to the above article: "If you read the article closely and review other articles on the CFR website you'll see that the U.S. Constitution will become voided by 2010 and a new constitution will be ratified to take it's place. Also a new tax will be imposed on U.S. citizens to solve economic imbalances that currently exist in Mexico. Also biometric monitoring will be mandatory for travel within the territory."

... and another posted: "For at least eight decades now the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) has been pushing globalism. Remember 'The New World Order' ... yeas, that right Bush 41"

I mentioned my fear of electing Bush because of this very reason (Globalism), in an email to Jim Robinson during the Primaries of Bush's first term, asking for his much valued opinion on the topic. I was told something to the effect of hush up on the topic because we MUST elect Bush to save the Nation from the Democrats. I am not sure now if I was right or wrong in doing so, but I followed Jim's advice and hushed up. And I worked tirelessly in Bush's election campaign and again in his re-election like we all did.

I am not in the "Bush lied" camp. Bush has always been very forthright and honest about what he is doing and we are allowing him to do it. He must sincerely believe that this is the best path for the nation.... but is it?

[Siena Dreaming]

Unemployment is incredibly low right now.

Yet such hysteria about American jobs. Sheesh.

[television is just wrong]

this does not look good for Pres Bush...

[Iscool]

I live in the Memphis area and if I had a choice I would hire Mexicans to do construction work. At least they show up and do a good job, not so with the locals.

I'd say you are not guessing on this one...You have experience here...

Here's a hint: pay decent wages, you'll get decent help...

[gunnedah]

Hilliary is for protecting the illegals just like the Democrats and a lot of Republicans in Congress.
Who is it marching in the streets? Illegals and people born and aligned with foreign countries. We are being overthrown by foreigners at the behest of our local leaders and I for one am not too sure it is not the time to take up arms!If you try to do it through the political process we will be out numbered before we can get it passed.

[MBB1984]

The article says differently. And, you offer no proof to the contrary only a conclusory statement.

You obviously are in a business that benefits from cheap illegal labor. However, please know that the oversupply of a labor force reduces wages of those in the lower economic echelon and increases the amount of American citizens in poverty. The illegals send their money back to their homelands while increasing local government costs for schools, translators, hospitals,etc. This results in increased costs to the community from a source that benefits only the employer. Lower income American citizens suffer the most. But you obviously could care less about more American citizens living in poverty due to the increased illegal labor supply as long as you get yours.

[television is just wrong]

Remember our House and Senate are about to commit the biggest crime against America and Americans by passing a travesty of a bill and we are helpless to do anything about it.

The illegal liberal aliens are allowed to hold our streets hostage and in massive numbers again and again and again and they aren't stopped.

Hundreds of thousands of people taking our streets in numbers that are absolutely outrageous and no one is stopping them, they are throwing bottles at Americans and no one is stopping them.

Their obscene numbers are NOT impressive they are outrageous and meant to intimidate us and to show how fast they can organize to attack.

WITH THE BLESSINGS OF OUR SELECTED, NOT ELECTED OFFICIALS...

[KevinDavis]

I would like to know where in the Constitution that native born Americans have a right to a job...

[kellynla]

"You are a native born American, how come you are not doing construction or picking vegetables?"

I and millions of others have done construction and farming for hundreds of years.

who the hell do you think built this country and farmed the land before your illegal friends from south of the border arrived?

maybe you should study a little American history before you embarrass yourself again...

[Dane]

I'd say you are not guessing on this one...You have experience here...

Here's a hint: pay decent wages, you'll get decent help..

MB, don't you just love it when people from behind a keyboard with no experience tell you how to run your business. It's like hillary's hubris.

BTW, I have no experience in construction but don't have the hubris to tell people who actually run construction companies or farms how to run their businesses.

[Dane]

You obviously are in a business that benefits from cheap illegal labor. However, please know that the oversupply of a labor force reduces wages of those in the lower economic echelon and increases the amount of American citizens in poverty

See reply #37 for the answer to your first sentence above and second labor is a commodity(like oil). I love it when people on Fr say they are willing to pay more for food, etc., but that is a crock.

Envirowhackos have been resricting the drilling of oil in the US for years(ANWR etc.etc) and now we see the results, higher gasoline prices and people on FR are the first to complain.

[grey_whiskers]

You are merely a troll.

[KevinDavis]

Well until there is bill that guarantees a that every native American has a right to a decent paying job, this argument is bunk.

[Dad yer funny]

hey , just a FRiendly FReeper obsevation ,...

... on the subject , Quality of Work

when someone tells me they're good , I've replied ,...

"You can't hide your skills ,... I'll know by lunchtime if you're anygood!"

[kellynla]

"I would like to know where in the Constitution that native born Americans have a right to a job..."

it doesn't and neither does it say that illegals have a "right" to cross our borders illegally and work "under the table", not pay taxes, receive free medical care, free education for their children and on and on and on...

[Coldwater Creek]

What you do not understand is that the people that I hire set their own wage. They tell me what they will do the job for and I have to pay or go on to the next one.


I hired a Master electric an to rewire a house and you should see the mess that he made. Same with the plumber, sheet rock man. The only one that did a good job was the cabinet maker, but then he like to hunt and I could not keep him on the job. He lost his business and could not figure out the reason, because his work was beautiful and it was, but you never knew when he would show up.

[MBB1984]

A labor force is not a commodity like oil. In most jobs the work must be done on site and most countries have considerable restrictions on foreigners who can do jobs in their country.

I would much rather pay higher prices if the money would go to poorer American citizens. Believe it or not, some of us actually care and are willing to help our fellow Americans.

[JamesP81]

Seal the borders. Tax remittances back to Mexico at a rate of 75%. If they want to work here and be here, they can become Americans (not Mexican-Americans, mind you, Americans). Otherwise, go home.

[kellynla]

"Well until there is bill that guarantees a that every native American has a right to a decent paying job, this argument is bunk"


what we do have are laws that require that the government secure the borders and deport illegals.

try again...

[Coldwater Creek]

That's right, but you have to stay right on top of them, and most men in this part of the country hate it when a woman is in charge, and tells them to redo or they do not get paid.

[JamesP81]

There is one thing that you had better understand loud and clear, and that is this President has kept you safe from another terrorist attack.

This does not constitute an excuse for selling our sovereignty to the highest bidder. Period, the end.

[Dad yer funny]

[replied in a FRiendly manner]

well , no , you don't need to stay right on top of them...

... if they see you check on them every half hour , the morning of the 1st day...

... and they're NOT OK with that , then they're "trouble" , and keep them on at your peril

[elk]

Are we really importing poverty? With all the government bene's, free school, free health care, laons to buy homes, that doesn't sound like poverty.

If these folks can organize marches of 500,000, how long before they start organizing/suing to increase wages from the current "slave wages"? It will not take long.

Well, I guess Americans are fine with a decrease in their standard of living, brought on by a disgregard for rule of law and bleeding of our sovereignty. Happy elites, ruling over us peons.

How many illegals will be on the web, able to get a view of America/politics different from the MSM to counteract the Atzlan/free borders/Marxist/HateAmerica/Etc. activists who will steer the ship of their protests, organization, demand for amnesty, benefits, etc.?

Remember, if Indonesia, China, Nigeria, (pick almost any country and insert name here), were right over our borders, the same problem would be occurring, so I'm not picking on just Mexicans based on their p.c. categorizations. I'm saddened that they live with corruption, just as many do in so many countries. I am also saddened to see the same incivility and corruption taking such firm root here. It's going to cost us.