[GaConfed]

but if you are in construction on a small scale, in the South, Midwest, even as far east and north as New York, the Mexican “exchange student” is the back bone of the operation, especially in the building of private homes. They are hard workers and talented. However, being talented doesn’t excuse them or the employer for breaking the law.

Yes, they are hard workers in general, however, I must disagree with you about the talented part. From what I have seen and heard about here in my locale they can throw up a house in short order, but their skill level leaves much to be desired. Case in point: A new subdivision of 26 houses was thrown up in about two months last summer in a neighboring county by a contractor who used Mexican labor exclusively. The first 4 of the houses that were sold were found to have major structual damage in multiples. The county building inspectors wound up condemning all the houses. The developers eventually had them all torn down and are having to start all over again. That's what their strictly bottom line mentality got them. I don't feel sorry for them at all.

[yoe]

I don't feel sorry for them at all. Nor do I, and I don't feel sorry for the developer (s) who hired them for homes by the dozens in subdivisions. I said, small builders, i.e., private homes one at a time.