if you don't wanna work ...someone else will!!!!

My Son has been a legal licensed Stucco Contractor in Florida for 26 years, he has very little work because we swamped with illegal Hispanic workers doing stucco for $4.00 an hour under the table!! Is this the American way???

My wife and I employee 6 Mexican workers and they do indeed work harder than my natural born work force. When break time comes my naturals drop what they are doing and take break. My Mexican workers wil finish what they are on and then take break. They work steady and enjoy what they are doing and the quality of their work although lesser in experience is as good and often better than my naturals. By the way we pay them the same as evryone else once the quality is compatible with other workers.

Who else is going to do the work? Someone give me a realistic answer.

I'm so proud to be Hispanic and to see how many of my people are doing so much to help rebuild what Katrina destroyed. I'm just sad and upset that it is only now that people are realizing how valuable we are to America's workforce;we didn't come here to steal anything from anybody, all we want is to be allowed and given an opportunity just like anybody else to work, support our families and try to make this country even better.

If Mayor Ray Nagin would get his fellow New Orleans residents who are getting GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE to come back and work, he would not have to worry about the hard working Mexicans willing to do the jobs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I live in Baton Rouge, La. and I can tell you the people on unemployment do not want to work. There are signs all over this city and other that have been hurt by Katrina. If the Mexican men don't do the labor who will?

after living in Florida for almost six years, I saw how the whole state economy is designed to take advantage of migrant workers...being from Michigan, a strong union state, I found it shocking that politicians, employers and criminals make their very living off the backs of many hardworking people who are being victimized...until our country developes a soul to know right from wrong, some people will always be taken advantage of by wealthier people who dont care about making our society better but only care about how much money they can make off the backs of people who can least afford to complain. America is no longer the land of opportunity but the land of victimization of less fortunate people. It's not the people here illegally that bother me so much as the crooks who hire them, victimize them and pretend to be upstanding businesses in their communities, smiling to your face and stabbing you in the back the minute you give them a chance.

I was so impressed with the Hispanic men that put our roof back on our rental house. I told the contractor rebuilding our house that had burned in '03 that if he needed extra guys he should get in touch with this contractor that they worked for. One of the men had fallen off a roof a few days before but yet he was at our house doing what he could to help. Just today I saw that this construction company is rebuilding one of the only remaining houses on Highway 90 in Gulfport. I would hire them again in a heartbeat.

Don't get bent all out of shape, there is plenty of work to go around. The Hispanic men that worked on our house were very nice, dependable, caring people. I got the business card from the construction company that they worked with and I will get in touch when I need more work done. Can't count how many times other people here on the coast (before the storm) said they would do some work and didn't even have the decency to call and say they weren't going to show up. I remember things like this -----

Everybody gets an opportunity in America, but most "Americans" don't take advantage and aren't willing to make the necessary sacrifices to get ahead. The hispanics that are here, legal or illegal, are willing to do the work that most "Americans" won't do or are too proud to do. Who will bus our tables, farm our produce, construct our homes? Americans don't realize how good they have it.

I am Hispanic..Proud to be an american. I dont understand why people get soo upset when soo many people come to the usa from mexico .. I dont think there here to steal jobs.. because a white man would not go and work for min wage and do the work that some of these people do.. most americans are lazy..and wont work for min. wage. too proud to.. so i dont see why not let them in our country to work.

As an employer myself I am torn by this influx of migrants. Although I do agree that they are hard working and willing to give the employer the effort it takes to do the job, they are bad for our industry as well as this country. Many of them lower our standard of living by accepting lower than standard wages for their job positions. I am also faced with trying to compete against companies that are rooted with illegal immigrants. These companies are generally not licensed (as required in California), don’t have workers compensation insurance, liability insurance, and do not offer benefits (such as medical), and sometimes pay their employees cash. This only adds to our countries burdens and offers no tax revenue. I don’t believe it’s about people not wanting to work, its yet another case of “the high cost of low prices” and the American people are to blame.

I'm a us citizen with 100% hispanic origen and to hear such good comments from my people is an honor. I don't understand why so much hate towards the latino community when one day the English was also illegal in this country and took what was not theirs. Please open your minds and understand the need of my people to support there families. I also, being a us citizen, have been discriminated for my racial background; do not make this mistake when we are only trying to better our lives as well as the rest of you....

I'm a landscaper and I paid my hispanic worker 15.00 an hour. I pick him up and drop him off and provide lunch for him. He speaks very little english. He works his a__ off and is worth every penny. He's loyal, respectful, always shows up and never refuses work. Works 7 days a week for weeks at a time. He does good work and I treat and pay him well. We both win.
I will not hire a non-hispanic, my business depends on it.

How many of these Hispanic workers are here illegally? I would suspect not many. They should not be allowed to be in this country let alone be given work, Hmmm, I wonder if the Federal government is turning a blind eye? Could this be about paying the cheapest wages possible! What is happening to my Country?

American citizens need living wages to support their American families thats why Americans "don't want to work" for the peanuts that illegals will work for.

Its as obvious as night follows day.

Hispanics in this country, legal or illegal, have always had to be humble, tolerant, tough and above all survivors. These beginnings will then provide them the initiative to improve themselves as many have and become valuable citizens of this country. Hispanics have always carried their load, be it defense of this country, building this country, and lately in the government, education, political, judicial etc. Hispanics have well proven themselves worthy of the benefits of this country. Recognize that America!!!!!

we the hispanics,are working the way we do in our countries when we can find jobs of course,we are used to it,we dont have social security and unemployment to rely on it ,and we say if you dont work you dont eat,I resent the people that believe we are here to steal the jobs,jobs that they dont wanted in the first place.

Oh Arlene (sounds like a folk song title) perhaps it's time for your son to find a new occupation. First of all, I can assure you that the "illegals" are getting paid more than $4 an hour. Secondly, at least they are working. 99% of the homeless I see are White or Black, those who have been here the longest. Actions speak louder than words in my mind.

A positive article on the stream of Hispanic workforce, either legal or illegal to the post-Katrina Gulf Coast. These Hispanics saw an opportunity to help their families financially no matter what the job would be. They are willing to break their backs for their families. I also saw opportunities a couple days after Katrina, so I called my sister who is a PR for a company that provides security at construction sites in Southern California. She said she was already on it. She saw the financial opportunities, not for herself but for her company and others seeking jobs. It is unfortunate to read that many have become complacent with the Gov't financial assistance. As soon as that money is gone, we will hear them complain that all the jobs were taken by illegals.

Its sad to say this, but most naturals don't want to work on dirty jobs. Hispanic people are hard working people they are not afraid to get their hands dirty. As long as they have a job to go to. All they want is to have the opportunity to learn and succeed just like everyone else. Hemi, Mountain Home, Idaho

I am a first born Hispanic-American and I can see that Hispanics are truly adding to the fabric that makes up this great country. Like the immigrants before us; the Irish, Italian, Chinese, we too will leave our mark!

I live in California and I see gangs, I see a welfare system swamped with Hispanic people, I’m disabled and MUST use medical services and they are swamped with non-residents. We have grocery stores (Ranch Market hires only Spanish speaking workers) that are Spanish speaking and I must get a manager to do business in English. Taxes are not paid by those that are illegal for every Hispanic that is legal there are 15 to 20 that aren't and wages are low because business aren't forced to hire citizen labor. The news NEVER shows the truth that we in the USA are being flooded by illegals and many are criminals. What I have said is the TRUTH but will be considered bigoted or politically incorrect because I’m white even though I said this without any hate what-so-ever as I love all people. The USA is at a breaking point as far as money goes and I want my family fed before “strangers” are fed, am I right?

I am a first born Hispanic-American and I can see that Hispanics are becoming another piece of the fabric that makes up this beautiful country. Like the immigrants before us, Irish, Italian, Chinese, we too will leave our mark!

It has taken a long time for America to build up its workforce to make a decent wage that we have been able to make our way of life better. That is why everyone wants to come here to work. It was not easy to climb the ladder to a good wage. It was a hard fight and took a long time. Now these people are entering our workforce at a lower wage and tearing everything we have accomplished apart. Yes, all the employers are loving it because they are saving money for their pockets. That is fine, but now we are going backwards and loosing everything we have gained from many years of hard work that has attracted these people to our country. How are we going to keep paying payroll taxes to the GOVERNMENT when there are no jobs that pay taxes. That will go dry fast if no money is being put back in. I have no problem with people coming here to work, but they and whomever employes them make their wages below the minimum wage because they accept it and now the employer does not want to employ anyone at a decent wage. You cannot even live at a decent motel on $4.00 an hour. Have the employers try and live for one week at their wages. Whatever country they live in can and should be able to pay them a decent wage. We are slowly becoming just like their countries, backward on anything that has to do with employees.

If americans weren't so lazy and scared to get their hands dirty, they wouldn't have this so-called "problem"!! I am american, and damn proud of my "Immigrant" hard working husband!!! How dare the mayor of New Orleans be worried about Mexicans(or any other foreigner)...look at the major population of New Orleans... Lazy , welfare-abusing americans!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a well educated, white skinned Mexican. I have been followed out of stores and told how dare I speak that gibberish; one employer told me I couldn't speak Spanish on company property even though I was fired because I was bilingual and 90% of the work force was hispanic. They want our work but want to pay us less, no benefits are offered yet payroll deductions are always taken, who keeps this surplus? Yet they say "we" are costing money to the US. Whites and blacks do not want to work as we do which is why employers want us, we also cost less to payroll, all "we" ask is to be treated decently. The time has come for all Hispanics to leave the country and let the US fend for itself, maybe then they would see just how much they need us. Imagine what would happen! It would be wonderful!!!

Arlene, Why not ask your son to DONATE his time and expertise in Katrina?

it's sad people look down on the Hispanics(i'm white).My personal contact with the hipanics people really opened my eyes. They are hard workers and take care of their families first, before any white man. I was married 30 years to a white man and pretty much raised our two kids alone. You have good and bad people in all cultures, but don't judge just one until you walked in there shoes. Thanks to all the hispanic men who work so hard at jobs that any white man wouldn't get his hands dirty with.

To say no legal US citizen will proform the service, agricultural and construction work of illegals in this country is pure garbage. Because this attitude is so prevalent and prevasive, people tend to believe it. It is a myth. Be that as it may, because of the attitude, young deserving native born legal US citizens, for the most part, are denied working in these fields almost entirely by industry. The result is our young legal citizens gain no marketable skills by on the job training and remain unemployed. As they age, they turn in to the hard core unemployed that plague our society. For the USA to continue down this path will, in time, lead to inssurection and civil revolution as the masses of "have nots" grow in ever larger numbers. History bares me out on this point. It is a matter of time before this happens. Illegals entering the USA from all countries are breaking down all of the social services/structures of this country such as medical/health care. Illegal Mexicans and other illegals do not care about that those issues as long as they get what they want. The orderly social stucture of our country is not their concern. To solve this problem, illegals, under most circumstances, should be prosecuted as the criminals they are by our courts/politicians and social servants. President Bush and many other politicians should be impeached and brought to justice for not upholding the laws of our land and the Constitution of the United States which they were sworn to uphold. To cross the border of the United States illegally is a pre-meditated crime, pure and simple, and people from any country that do so are criminals. There is no other conclusion to be made. If people of other countries need help because of political reasons, the United States maintains Embassies all over the world to address those types of issues/problems. The bottom line is slavery, read illegal Mexican labor, is still alive and well in this country. Nothing has changed in hundreds of years or since the civil war. Mexico is supplying slave labor to a willing market in this country and it must be stopped. Mexico and other countries need to fix their corrupt societies. Financial costs caused by illegals to US social institutions should be billed and collected by the US government from offending countries. To do otherwise is social insanity.

In the Spring of 2001 the Mid West was hit with several intense storms, many packing large hail. We were hit pretty hard and my 4 year old home needed siding replaced, gutters and a complete roof due to hail damage. In this area of the country the lines are drawn more by "union" and "open shop". My insurance company sent me approved contractors and the luxury of a no hassel claim. Yes, they were all hispanic and "open shop" as you might guess. What a fantastic job they did! We could not say enough good things about them, from their work ethics, skills and just being down right cordial. While the storms were a headache, the repairs couldn't have been better!
We should all be so committed to a job well done.

We should forget the race issue, white, black, brown or yellow, we are all human beings. It's high time America really became a country free of prejudice and racism.

The immigration debate can easily be solved, when you're serious. Closing the borders as some advocate is nice dream but not feasible in today's realities. This may be our ultimate goal and an ideal strive for however, the only way is to fine (and imprison) those that do the hiring.
It's an obvious fix but not popular with Politicians or with Mainstream Americans. The reason is a monetary one, why? Try closing the borders for a couple of months (and shutting off the cheap labor to our industries) and we shall see. "Be careful what you ask for, America?"

Lets not forget that the wages are determined by the employers, don't be mad at the employees. If someone is willing to work for a lower wage, it's because of need and to survive not to steal a job. Power to all the Hispanic labor force out there, as always, not only proving to be a important hard working force, but also taking the jobs nobody else wants.

I wish we could get some media coverage at the apartment complex I now live in after evacuating to Memphis TN. My American brother-in-law had just purchaced the property just before the storm hit and had not yet properly insured the buildings. With no insurance he had no idea what the uncertain future would hold.
In walks my Mexican nephew-in-law with a handfull of workers behind him. These guys got immediately to work pending electricity, gutting the flooded buildings and cleaning refrigerators before they became contaminated from rotting food. In the second week arrived another 10 men loaded with materials and equipment to reroof the buildings and get them set for more workers to arrive. Presently if you go out at sunrise, these guys are fueling vehicles and mobilizing to hit a hard lick at the unending homes that need renovation. The smell of lunch and fabric softener is already in the air as their spouses get ready also to supply their men with meals and fresh clothes. Thank God for these men and their spouses. Buenos dias New Orleans!!!!

I agree that these workers are a needed part of the workforce. With workers comp and insurance costs, some employers have no choice but to use them. The problem I see is that workers that are paid under the table do not pay taxes, and some of their families are using our schools and health care facilities. We have overcrowded schools and hospital closings, and if these families are going to receive these benefits, they need to pay some taxes to help support the system. Also, to be properly prepared for the amount of children estimated to be enrolled, the schools depend heavily on the census and demographic information which do not include children that are here illegally.

We should be thankful that the Hispanic workers once again are renewing this country's blood. With their infusion of a hard work ethic perhaps the general population will take a hint and roll up their sleeves to contribute to our country's growth and reputation as the land of the free .....

cheap labor undermines everyone. 8 dollars and hour, if indeed they are receiving that after being charged for food and hotels is wage-slavery. these illegals are forced to work in horrible conditions, receive no help for getting hurt, sleep in vehicles or in groups in rooms on floors. how is this good. when people get desperate they convince themselves its okay to be taken advantage of because it could be worse. it perpetuates a state of tyranny that is all to tempting. what did the grape boycott mean? nada.

The same-old holds true for everything, supply and demand. We should be greatfull that we have this workforce ready to tackle the amazing job that is required to rebuild the great city of New Orleans.

Licensed contractors complain that they have very little business because of Illegal immigrants working for less money. Why don't they lower their prices? This is a time of need. Not a time to make make from the poor. Most of these people who need help rebuilding have lost everything and have very little money to rebuild. Like home owners, restraunts and other small businesses that need help to rebuild.Once they are up and running the community will be benifiting from. Don't blame the illegal worker for trying to help. Immigrant workers seem to have more heart than the people that live in these devastated communities. American citizens would rather not work and take a free ride on all the benifits being offered by the government. "Wake Up America!!" Get right with the Man! Help somebody!

I am also proud that the media has taken the time to write about the impact the immigrant hispanic workers are having on the region. I do however find it disheartening & troubling to how people some who were directly impacted the huricane would prefer to sit by and do nothing. It is sad that an some would prefer to live off of the government aid and donations from other hardworking americans. How is it that the hispanic immigrants have taken on and embraced the american hardwork ethic of old and people still find the time to criticize?

It figures that most of the locals don't want to work-they would rather sponge off of the government handouts than work for their money, which is how they got into this situation in the first place. However, illegal immigrants are just that--illegal, and they should be deported immediately. I am so sick of our country coddling to these illegals who come here demanding their own language and housing and education (for free).

I feel legitimate U.S. companies should have first crack at the rebuilding as long as they are not gouging insurance companies and taxpayers. After they have taken their pick, give the jobs to whoever wants them. I do think the idea of having prisoners put to the task is an excellant idea. They should be working for their room and board. After all, they're in prison for a reason and they should be making some kind of restitution. Illegals should be allowed to get work permits then they could pay taxes just like the rest of us. There are way too many people down south that could be providing the needed labor if they'd get off their lazy wellfare abusing behinds. They won't, so somebody's got to do it........ But, let's do it right, for a change.

As a Hispanic and as an American, I think that we should be united to help re-build the communities that were devastated by the recent hurricanes and welcome the support of those who are willing to bring back what was lost. The people who are working to build back these communities should be welcomed and not justified by the background they have. We must be more open and united than closed up and divided.

As long as the relief effort is taking place and work is getting done, people should stop complaining about WHO is doing it.

Clint of Nashville sounds like a slave owner.."my mexicans", "naturals"?? It's so typical. It's unfortunate that most Mexicans have to put up with this point of view. They should be paid higher wages. They come to this country to work, regardless of the weather or any other circumstances. We all need to provide for our families. They are doing it the honest way.

My daughter lives in Mandeville, LA and all the stores there close by 7:00 pm because they don't have enough workers. Even Wal-Mart! There are help wanted signs everywhere but those that will work only want to work day hours . . . no nights and no weekends. There are lines everywhere you go. Although I certainly commend government and charitable largesse during this time of critical need for some, I hope it does not create/foster a widespread mentality of "living off the dole". My daughter knows of some who are getting a $500 allowance, renewable monthly, just for food. We are a family of four and I don't spend that much for food myself. It seems that there are too many that are truly in dire straits that are not getting anywhere near what they need to sustain themselves and get back on their feet and then there are those that are just "milking the system" for all they can when they don't need it. How sad that bureaucracy is so bad that this cannot be corrected . . . and even more shameful that there are people who would take what they truly do not need when there are so many who still don't have a roof over there heads.

the only reasons the view of immigration is changing is beacuse of how CHEAP the mexican ILLEGAL immigrant will work for. but you get a real US citizen hes/shes smart enough to know that their own work is worth more than what the ILLEGAL imigrants will work for. Good job those of you who are smart enough to hire these ILLEGALS.if we cant get rid of them might as well use the hell out of em.

Who else is going to do the work? Anyone available. Who does the work for sub-par pay, no health benefits, no assurance of a safe and healthy work environment? Our illegal non-citizen guests. I think it's high time for us to discontinue this illusion of the "lazy" American work force. There isn't anyone will not work, when offered competetive wages. What a novel idea!

hispanic people for the most part just want to work and make a living, they want their little piece of the American dream....nothing wrong with that

People are just realizing that this country was built on immigrants? If a local white won't do the work because they've just received a years worth of salary for sitting on their buts, why shouldn't someone else do the job? It's time that people realize that Hispanics drive their buses, clean their hotel rooms, picks up their trash, washes their cars because they do what they need to do to survive. Resourceful, hard-working, reliable people built this great nation and unless you're an American Indian, you're an immigrant too.

I am Mexican American, born in Texas, raised in Missouri. Many people have forgotten that America was built with immigrants coming from all nations; and we live in a free world, with opportunities available for everyone. Many people are only singling out Hispanics regarding work issues not only in Katrina but other states as well, but it's time Americans wake and stop being lazy and prejudice. These Hispanics are buying your produce to eat, are eating in your restaurants, are still keeping your economy on the go, so you should be thanking them, even though they are making less then whats fair.
My Father, Uncles, Aunts, Brothers, Cousins, and many other family members have served this country in World WAR II, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and in Iraq. If you all will remember, the highest percentages of deaths to serve in WAR II and Vietnam were of Hispanic race. Nobody complains when Hispanics are the very first to be put in the front lines of War and give their lives for non-Hispanics, to have a benefit a better life or those whose families had influences that helped them skip the armed forces to college and never know what War was like. Now, jobs of all kinds have left our country due, to corporations, no longer wanting to pay higher wages; IT companies, Long Distance companies, etc. are contracting to India, Japan, and other countries for customer service representatives and paying less than minumim wages, and no 401K benefits, no insurance, meaning, thousands of Americans are without their jobs. But you don't hear anyone in the Media expressing these issues; they are set on only Hispanics!
Have you been to San Francisco, CA., to Chinatown?
How many anglos, blacks or hispanics do you see working in their shops? They have their own schools and teach their chinese language, cultural and their are many sweat shops their, no body seems to care about. There are jobs in that city that are only given to people of Chinese descent; yet you don't hear Americans crying about that!
Yet how many anglos pick fruits, vegetables,work in the vineyards and farms for a living, making less than minimum wages, and their children are on the move from state to state by season to make a living. Most of the children get less than a 6th grade education! Yet, this has been going on for over a century, tell me that no child left behind program is enforced on these environment. Living in less then shacks to provide shelter and being exposed to all kinds of chemicals, that cause cancer, lung disease, deformations of children, no medical assistance unless they seek a Hispanic church. It's time to stop belly aching about Hispanics, and if you want to complain, then don't buy your jeans made in China, your tv's made in Japan, your purses made in India and etc. America is multi-cultural so if you want to move where there are no other races to complain about, you better get a ticket to the moon.

I hope that this shows people that just because some immigrants are here illegally dosent mean they are just here for a free ride, if anything it shows the opposite. They will do the jobs other people wont & work hard and for that I really hope this does change peoples outlook on issues with immigration in America.

While the victims of Katrina live on tax dollars and relief incentives from the government and charities...who else will clean up their cities? It's obvious that Hispanics are doing work that no one else seems to want. If the local citizens were smart they would get into the job market NOW instead of waiting for their benefits to run out and the workforce to swell back up. I am proud of the forethought and enterprising mentality of the Hispanic workers to GO WHERE THE WORK IS!

It's times like the Rebuilding of Katrina Damage that people can appreciate the Hispanic Workers, and not to say that Hispanic Workers are hard working and Americans are lazy, but do you expect the Government to give them everything that are refusing to work, because they have enough wages. You teach a society that they do not have to work, that they will be taken care of by "Big Brother" then they will not work, you teach a society to work because they have to be a productive member of society, then thats just what they will do. New Orlean residents for the most part were taught to be taken care of, now they will expect it always. Talk about Suppresion as a society. This a chance to reteach a City and teach "Real" Freedom as a people.

The human spirit of those residents from Katrina-ravaged cities and towns has to be so terribly low right now that they dont know if they are coming or going. Those coming into the city, no matter what color their skin, should be welcomed for the job that they are trying to do! And yes, they may be doing the jobs that no one wants to do (and possibly getting paid considerably less) but they are not taking an advantage of a bad situation - they are making the most of it ... with most of them trying to make money to send back to their families. Listen folks, compassion goes a long way!

Te bottom liine is that without hispanic workers this country would not be able to function. They are just llooking for a chance to help their families. Let them work and give them a break.

There’s already so much racist sentiment associated with Katrina, why fuel it? The reality is that the clean-up and removal process is an extremely difficult and painstaking one. If immigrant day laborers want to help, who are we as Americans to say that we don’t need their help? Aren’t we an “nation of immigrants”? I say we should be grateful that there is even a labor force willingly wanting to help, it’s an EXTREMELY strenuous and backbreaking job.

People seem to forget that this country was built with the sweat and strength of Immigrants. This is just another example of how much this country relies on the work that Immigrants are willing to do, that sometimes our own citizens are not. I am proud to to be Mexican and proud of my fellow people that are here to work for their families. If only we could remember them and the work they do when our government treats them unfairly. Lets all remember the sacrifies they make to secure that our agriculure is picked and our homes are bulit.

I absolutely agree with my friend Blanca. People were complaining about how Mexicans take all the American jobs and now that theirs extra work out there are they trying to work NO they'd rather live off of what they are given. Without us working in the fields you wouldn’t have food on your table and now without us you wont have a clean table to eat on its time people realize how much of an affect my people have on this country. If you were to take out all the immigrants out of this country our economy would crumble without a doubt. We are here to help and to make a living for our families.

I find it offencive as a Latino that they call mexicans "brown" what is that all about. Catagorizing the brown in with tarps and trailers. This is an official complaint about the verbage in this article. ¡Viva Mexico!

As an H.R. Manager to a predominately hispanic workforce I can tell any employer that you'll be hard pressed to find a more loyal or hardworking crew. People complain that they are stealing our jobs. But we need to take a long objective look at ourselves. Not all american workers hold the same standards and work ethics that our parents and grandparents built this country on. The hispanics do and many small businesses couldn't function without them.

I hope the media does more coverage on how hispanics have been helping rebuild all areas hit by the hurricanes.Usually they focus on negative issues of immigration and promote hispanics as a problem in this country.This shows how Hispanics come here to work and are willing work in jobs that most Americans dont want to do.Its time America recognizes this and promotes it.

WHY???? BECAUSE THE CORP. PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO PAY PREVAILING WAGE. MY HUSBAND IS A CARPENTER WORKING IN N.O. SINCE END OF SEPTEMBER. THE PAY IS NOT ENOUGH TO PAY ROOM AND BOARD. THE ROOMS THAT THE CONTRACTOR HE WORKS FOR WILL NOT PAY FOR THE ROOMS STARTING JAN. THEY HAVE SEMI TRAILERS WITH COTS NOW AND SMALL BLDGS. WITH PIECES OF WOOD ON WOOD BLOCKS TO SLEEP. YOU GO NEXT DOOR FOR A PUBLIC BATHROOM. IT IS NO WONDER THEY HAVE THE POVERTY DOWN THERE, THE ONES THAT KNOW HOW TO PLAY THE SYSTEM CAN MAKE MORE MONEY LIVING OFF THE GOV'T. SO, WHY WORK??????? IF THE GOV'T COULD WORK On COMMON SENSE WE WOULD HAVE IT MADE.....IN OTHER WORDS SAVE THE BIG BOYS MONEY AND BRING ON THE MEXICANS!!!!! THEN IF THEY GET HURT WE CAN PAY THEIR MEDICAL BILLS!!!!!!

Lets be realistic.We all know that Hispanics are a driven force of the U.S economy, if the imigrants did do tha types of jobs that they do. There would not be any food in any super market.That fact that people are dont see that is realy funny. I would like to see anyone else get up at 5 am to be at work by 7 and gat back home by 8 pm thats what most imigrats do every day . I for once want to Thank Them

I think it would be great to see the hispanic population not only rebuild these cities, but also have the opportunity to grow with them. If they are willing to put in the sweat and tears, then they should have the opportunity to benefit from their hard work. If the locals don't want to take part in rebuilding their city, then they deserve to lose it. Any local who stays at home collecting unemployment for a year, doesn't get the right to complain about things when they change. And if they even dare to make racial comments about the "brown imigrants", then they deserve to be shot!

The American way is to work hard & provide for your family that is what these LATINO'S are doing they leave behind their country for an opprotunity to work & in the process they are humitlated but never humbled it is true that many LATINO'S are hard working even more so than American born LATINO'S this makes me proud.. On the other hand you have these American's who are born in this country and take advantage of social services.. as you read in the story above.

stop unemployment checks and start giving incentives to those who do work!

I have a construction business in Phoenix and I will only hire Hispanic workers now. I don’t care if the are here legally or not. Every Hispanic I have hired works harder and doesn’t complain as much as other people I have hired

It's good to have people who want to work. all job are honorable. It's so sad to see people who don't want to do these types of jobs attack the latino community. The latino's have contributed so much to America in the past 30 years than the so called Americans have. They do the job and they don't quit until it is finished. Thank You to all hard working Latino's.

I'm very happy that Hispanics are being reconized for their hard work and dedication but no matter how positive the outcome there will always be someone with a negative response. It's so frustrating because of our status we don't speak up and are often taken advantage of.

Although I am hispanic, I partially sympathize with people who fear that illegal immigrants threaten American jobs. However, I think many Americans use immigrants as scapegoats for their economic woes, and overemphasize the "problems" of immigration, while completely ignoring the contributions that these disadvantaged people make to our society. The lady who referred to stucco work is an example. She talks about immigrants doing stucco work for four bucks an hour. Certainly that can happen, however I sincerely doubt that many people, even immigrants, would be willing to work for such little pay. Its just a simple case where a person encounters an anomaly and then generalizes about a whole group of people based on anecdotal evidence, which is generally worthless. If her son's skills as a stucco worker are valuable enough, then he will be succesful and should welcome competition. After all, competition is the American way.

This is the best case scenario (in real life) to all who promote anti-immigrantion. We do the jobs no one who is legal wants to do. Yet we are chewed up and spit out and terrorized on a daily basis.

We are more white that the snow falling in the North East right now. We are not the "BROWN" people as Hispanics are portrayed in this report. We are proud Spanish speakers with multicultural roots. But the color or your skin is not important. More important is what can you do for yourself, your family and your neighbors.

Thank you for singing the praise of Hispanic workers. On the other end, there are people who were born and raised in the USA who work just as hard, but with immigrants willing to do the same work for less money, of course we don't like the fact they are changing the American work force.

I feel sorry for the Hispanics and also the Hatians who are way overworked and way underpaid and I think they are taken advantage of. They were not given the opportunity in their country and so they came here to try to better their standard of living. I know many anglos who waste their freedom and their potential. They really don't know how lucky they are to be citizens of the U.S. Whatever the race, if a person learns a skill and does it well, then they should be paid accordingly.

I think that it is great to see that some honorable Hispanics are doing what they can to help. I find it shameful that so many people are willing to accept checks from the government and sit at home when they could be helping out and earning a living.

I believe that some of the Latino workers are very hardworking and professional. I am from India. I lived in an apartment that had problems with the kitchen tiles coming off. The initial worker was American, he replaced some of the tiles, but they came off again within a month. Then the apartment manager decided to replace ALL the tiles. This job was contracted out, I think, because the next day, 2 mexican workers came to do the job. They helped me with moving some of the kitchen stuff (which the apartment had asked me to remove, but I had overlooked). Then they set to work on their job. They finished it before time, and then they helped me move most of the stuff back. And the work quality was superb! Most efficient, polite and respectful.
Later, one of our friends moved into a new home, hired some Mexican workers to help him - again great job, very efficient.
What I find most galling is that why are you blaming the mexican workers?

All types of jobs in this Country do not "belong" to any particular community or group based on color or skill levels. Plainly, our Country relys on the economy of ALL it's workers. Having said that, I was revived to read this article about mi Raza and the undocumented being good, honest, hard workers after having just read an article in my newspaper, about the Governor of my State of Minnesota putting out a report on how much the "illegal aliens" are costing us. It makes me wonder with curious anticipation..how will he stop the Martians from entering our Earths atmosphere???

How about granting those temporary migrant worker visas now, huh? Hispanics have just proven to this country that we are the only ones who are willing to do the work that the natural born citizens won't because it's just so much easier to live off the government. You see, you can't do that in Latin America. That's why we all grew up knowing that we have to work to live.

Gee, I wonder why INS is not raiding these illegal alien employers in New Orleans and putting them in jail. Face it people, just like Native-Americans saw their world radically changed when the Europeans came, now the decedents of Europeans will see radical changes as the descendents of Native-Americans reclaim their pre-Columbian population numbers. Unless you want to round them all up and throw them in an incinerator, expect your great-grand-children to also be Hispanic, so get used to it.

You buy homes & shop for groceries, right?
Tell me who builds them & picks your fruit?
The day you start doing it yourself then your opinion will be valid!

I would like to coment that I am a Hispanic Single Mother and I have worked hard to raise my children I have prided myself in not needing of the Welfare system to raise my sons and although it has been tough I am living prove that it can be done I understand the frustrations of many who say that alot of illegal immigrants are on the Welfare system and lets be honest it is true but dont judge the book by it's cover not all of them are like that there are some who work hard to raise their families proudly with their own sweat and have become educated and go to school learn english and take classes on becoming something in life an opportunity that they may not have in their own countries some of them have become American and love this country more than their native countries I am proud to be an american.

“The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles.
From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

http://www.nps.gov/stli/plaque/img0.gif

Why is it that the people who want their city re-built using the Nations Tax Dollars, appear to be the only ones not willing to work? Come on New Orleans, show us some American Pride, and stand on your own two feet! The Nation will help those who help themselves.

Wow, what is really sad is that this country, at one point, wasn't "America". It belonged to someone else. Murdered for land and money. Now, all of the immigrants, and "post" slaves of this country are what makes it "america". I love how the color of your skin determines your rights in this country. If the Katrina victims were helped out by immigrants of white skin tone this wouldn't be such a big deal. Hey, how many of you white folk out there have family ties to Russia, Europe, Ireland, etc? All of you! We are all immigrants! Some are just lucky enough to not get harassed by the government cause they are not "obviously" illegal. America is lucky to have my people helping them out. If they didn't, who would do it? Americans don't want to get their "hands dirty". That is nothing more than plain ignorance. You can't even help out your own country. Get off your asses and get to work. When are people going to realize that this country is a "melting pot". And, lets not get into how a large part of "America" once was mexico. If anyone is an immigrant it is you... pilgrim. Move past your color issues and realize that we are all human. Oh... and do a search here on MSNBC.com for what your government plans to do with illegal workers... Pretty soon you will see more and more of my people. Is it your insecurities that make you hate those that are helping this country thrive? Perhaps we can all understand that a capitalist society is not what everyone is looking for. Some just want to be free to live their lives. I can't believe people are complaining about who is helping rebuild america! And don't blame us because we are willing to take the money. Those of you worried about the wages should be doing something about it instead of complaining that you can't find work because everyone is hiring illegals. Bush doesn't mind... I'm sure he owns a few him self!

Those men are working only at one site (and they're doing a fantastic job!) BUT, there's not much else "rising from the ashes" in and about Bay St. Louis and/or Waveland. Take a ride on Beach Blvd. from Bayou Caddy all the way across Hwy. 90 to the end of the road; bring your camera. It's an entirely different story. Don Berry, Katrina Refugee, Mobile, AL (I was on the 3rd floor of one of the buildings in these pictures during the entire Hurricane. It was quite an experience, to say the least.)

I am one generation from being born in Mexico, had it not been for my Grandparents who came to this country illegally. I am currently in the U.S. Army and have been a soldier for 5 years now and earned my bachelors degree while in service. I consider myself to be a product of this great country and am grateful. Did anyone know that the military will give an immigrant the chance to become a U.S. citizenship for 4 years of military service? It seems that “we” (the Hispanics people) are good enough to catch a bullet for all you anti-Hispanic supporters but not good enough to experience the American dream. What’s up with that?

Too many of the comments people have made sound really racist -- this should not be about color this should be about what is right. Breaking immigration law is not right, but neither is taking advantage of any poor but hard-working people. Keep in mind, not all illegal immigrants are hispanic, they can be African, Eastern European, Asian too... The fact is we all need to stop generalizing, not all Mexicans work hard, not all Americans are unwilling to do "that kind" of work. Lets just pay people what the job is worth and, to stimulate our economy and stabilize our social security system, create an outlet for people from all different countries to work in the United States, and not just from Mexico, because excluding other nationalities would also be racist.

Are the opponents of Hispanic migrant labor saying that the reason why American-born workers don't do the reconstruction jobs in the Gulf is because of the low pay? You are trying to tell us that people really are waiting for the wages to go up so they can FINALLY get that job cleaning toilets and mold? Please. Try to sell that crap to someone else.

This country has been enriched and is enriching itself at the expense of the third-world's resources, both natural AND human. To those who say that third-world citizens should stay in the their place, I have this to say: Stay AWAY from the third-world's resources. If you want to take their resources, you have to take their people too. Create your own fuel, make more of the country's citizens become productive workers, and manufacture all of your own goods. And let's see how long this country lasts. The bottom line is that Hispanics are EXCELLENT workers and is incredibly sad that they get taken advantage of by unscrupolous employers, politicians and contractors. The few vociferous hard-liners have hijacked the immigration debate by always presenting a one-sided view of the matter. Hispanic workers, wether legal or ilegal, are not terrorists, and they do not come here with the demented obsesion to kill innocent people as those who are truly terrorists do. So to all those who claim that they are bringing the demise of this country by working for low wages, I tell you, have some decency and stop comparing the latin immigration debate with national security. Right now, Europe has the same debate about their LEGAL, mostly Muslim immigrants because they do not work and collect millions in welfare. So perhaps latin immigrants should start migrating to Europe where their cultural roots are, and where they will be appreciated for WORKING HARD FOR THEIR NEW COUNTRY. Why work hard for this one when you can go work someplace else that seems more bent on at least giving you some rights and protection? Think about it.

Many people only create negative thoughts and conclusions of immigrants...But in all honesty this country was built by immigrants,Does this mean that a America is a negative place to live? Why can't people understand that our diversity,in this country is beautifull and we should appreciate everything and everyone in it!
And all of you who are complaining about Mexicans taking Americans jobs...Your so stupid! if you have a problem with it go out there and do something! It's not their fault they get hired! Why does there need to be so much drama of Illegal Immigrants? just let them live their lives they're not hurting anybody, they're helping! And they should have the same rights and benefits as anybody here...I mean how much power can a peace of paper that says your a U.S citizen hold? is what you offer to the country and the difference you make that makes you a citizen of the United States!

There are millions of unemployed workers who can't get jobs? why? thereason because the employers want cheap labor.

There is so much damage done by Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi alone that if every Hispanic man and woman with a knowledge of construction came here - there would still be more than enough work to go around to all the "natives" that wanted to get a job in this field. The Hispanic crew that put on our new roof did such an excellent job that many neighbors have tried to get them. Right now you can drive the streets just in our area and see different races working, like I said, enough work for everyone.

Gee, I wonder why INS is not raiding these illegal alien employers in New Orleans and putting them in jail. Face it people, just like Native-Americans saw their world radically changed when the Europeans came, now the decedents of Europeans will see radical changes as the descendents of Native-Americans reclaim their pre-Columbian population numbers. Unless you want to round them all up and throw them in an incinerator, expect your great-grand-children to also be Hispanic, so get used to it.

And seeing as these Hispanics are mostly of Mexican decent, which are of Aztec and Mayan decent. The great builders of pyramids with only stone-age tools, how can anyone be surprised they are hard working. Did you know the largest pyramid in the world in Guatemala? It’s covered by the jungle so it looks like a mountain, therefore not as impressive as the ones in Egypt.

Wake up folks the color of money is green.
We all want prices to be cheap at walmart. therefore businesses need to use cheapest workers possible to maintain decent profit margins.
If a job pays too little money, find something else to do or relocate to regions where wages for your skill set are not depressed.
80% of the income earned by these illegals will be spent in the local community where the income is earned. A wise thing to do is to invest in services these workers will patronize. A win win for everybody.

Leave the worker alone to earn his wage. If you want a piece of his wage then market your service to his needs. eg build a disco hall for their enjoyment
Purchase a rental property to let out to these workers. Every one needs a place to sleep at night after a hard days job.

Finally after the redevelopment is completed 99% of these workers will not be able to enjoy ambiance of the rebuilt buildings/hotel/schools/restaurants. These jobs with higher wages, will go to the Born and Raised Americans. How do you think they feel about that.

I'm first generation Mexican-American and work at a department store part-time, I have two jobs, and I work harded than some of the other "Naturals" that work only one job. What is a "Natural", I'm born here does that make me a "Natural" or do your ancestors (4 generations ago) have to be brought over as slaves to make one?????????????? What a travesty, I've survived a house fire and a tornado, and lost everything, and never went to get help, except to my insurance company!!!!!!!!!!! People, if you want to be successful, you have to work for it, that's all my ancestors have done for thousands of years!!!!!!

Long Live Mexico, Spain, Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Brasil, Guatemala, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Nicaragua, ALL OF LATIN AMERICA, WE TO HAVE SUFFERED FOR YEARS...

I live in West Texas, 70% of my town is latino, if not more. I myself am hispanic. I would like to praise those latino/hispanic people who come from across the border, whether it be legal or not on how they get here, but if its to live the "American Dream" by working hard and earning your way of life the legal way. Without these people, the work being done to rebuild after the Katrina storm would probably still be sitting there waiting to be done. But for those who come here by way of illegal drug trafficing, and are getting our children killed or addicted to these awful things they help bring into our county, I hope you all get sent back to Mexico and where ever else you come from.

High 5 to Helen from Lee's Summit and every like-minded individual who shares the same sentiments. Most of you here seem jaded as to what the "American Way" is or should be. Let's not forget how/why this country was founded by our "forefathers" in the first place...read between the lines in the history books PLEASE! You can't walk 5 feet anywhere in this country without treading the blood, sweat and tears of people who were helpless, victimized and exploited for hundreds of years!!!! Most of the West was once the "natural" home to many of the people you now call immigrants!!! As for the hurricane victims, the powers that be had ample warning and resources to fix the levees a long time ago, but opted to cut funds from every corner and go to WAR instead!!This country was founded on lies deception and thievery. There is a vicious cycle that keeps these conditions as such. It's called "the system". Many of us would be out of a job if this were not in place. Think about it America...you reap what you sow!

Wow, I can't beleive some of the things I am reading. I am a white American, married to a Latino. He was born and raised here and he is one of the most hard working people I know. My husband works 10-12 hour days, every day, in white corporate America. And it is through his hard work that he has earned every promotion he has ever received. America is a melting pot of many different immigrants and those that I have been prevliged to know are extremely hard working. American's would do well to learn a thing or two from them. Let's face it. Things change and change can be very beneficial to all. People need to give the immigrants a chance. How would you like to live in poverty? Never being able to feed your children. Immigrants are coming to America because it is the land of opportunity. And those opportunities are here for everyone. But you have to put in the effort and hard work. Unfortunately it is true, as mentioned above. There are many American's that choose to sit at home with their hands out, as if they are owed something because they are American's. Let's just make one thing clear. It's not that the immigrants will do the work for less. It's that the employers here in America are taking advantage of them. Shame on you! Where is your humanity?

It is sad that U.S. citizens are not taking these jobs. I can understand that the work needs to be done and that it comes down to getting whatever work force you can; however, let us not forget that it is against the law to hire an illegal immigrant, whether they are from Mexico, Canada, Germany, or South Africa.

I am amazed sometimes that Hispanics seem to be considered a "new" ethnic group to the U.S.. My family have been law-abiding, tax-paying citizens of the United States for at least 5 generations. My own grandfather was a "doughboy" in World War I. One of the great heros of the battle of the Alamo in 1836 was a gentleman named Jose Maria Guerrero.

Illigals are one thing and immigrants are another. If they are here illigally I think they should be sent back, not given a drivers license. Isn't that basically condoning their illigal entry into our country? Now, if they are here legally face it, they are going to do the jobs that most Americans won't do. I personally do not know anyone that gets up at the crack of dawn to go work in the fields until it gets dark again. That is extremely hard work which pays very little. I know. My husband and I grew about 30 chili plants one year that produced so much that I tore them out the next season. That was such hard work picking all those darn chilies and I for one have a new found respect for those that do that type of back breaking work. Thank you all!

I applaud my fellow LATINO’s for jumping at the chance to help rebuild the affected cities while at the same time trying to help themselves. It’s a shame the very people who live in these cities couldn’t do the same. For all the critics out there, don’t criticize if you aren’t willing to get your hands dirty and help out. These men have basically put their lives on hold leaving families behind to try and provide a better life for them, at the same time doing a good will act by rebuilding the affected areas. The working conditions aren’t the safest but they aren’t complaining work is work. I am a first generation Mexican-American and know all too well the sacrifices my immigrant parents had to make to give us a better life. I think we all seem to forget this country was built on immigrants!!

The Hispanic population has been regaining the territory they onced knew without the European foreigners. The Hispanics/Latinos fought, made peace, and ate together with the Native American Indians and believe it or not learned from each other all sorts of trades. It is the people that dislike those because of their color, racial background, and language that feel intimidated by those that they place beneath them which is offensibly irritable and makes these people greedy and ugly.

I am proud to be a Hispanic Woman because I am able to teach my children and set example for many alike to be proud of the heritage that stems from our great ancestors. Thus to know that we are not afraid to learn a new trade in order to work being that it is necessary whether 'Juan' or 'Susana' have an academic degree or not in order to feed their families;the ability to be flexible to learn a new language that this country claims 'English is the dominant language' when indeed it is not even written in the United States Constitution or anywhere else stating such;to have such great pride in not standing in line for public assistance for welfare and food stamps because We know that we can do any job-cleaning an office building at night or being a Dean at the local University of the State or even holding a Congressional Office in the United States-WE CAN DO ANY JOB AND DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

It is sad that Nagin had to resolve his frustrations by saying such racial slurs. Perhaps it was his bitter frustration that all of his kind of people had abandoned what they once were so proud of to call home. Perhaps it was his bitter frustration that made him say such comment to alert his fellow citizens of New Orleans to come back and help clean the mess left behind in order to rebuild New Orleans.
Perhaps he is just a bitter man that is ashamed of how his city became a guerilla warfare overnight where rapes occurred while others watched and said nothing; where looting was a means of survival and personal gain; where law enforcement became vigilantes and heroes and where many people's faith kept them going and where others lost all hope.

May all the Hispanic Workforce that is currently cleaning up after Katrina keep up with the excellent work and I will pray that they will get their hard earned dollar in their pocket and will also ask the dear Lord for their safe voyage (whether it be the United States, Mexico, Central or South America) home once their are done.

Katrina or not. We should all be willing to work. One of the early American settlers (John Smith) said that if the people wouldn't work, they wouldn't eat. The Holy Bible has passages that say primarily the same thing. We have too many able-bodied people in this country who won't work and are waiting on a hand-out. Non-productive members of society are a detriment to society as a whole.

I am a Project Manager for a construction company in California. I can tell you from first hand experience that the Latino community is more willing to work and more likely to show up on Monday morning than their white counterparts. However, these men work w/out benefits and bonuses. This is wrong. They are not trying to drain our school and medical programs. They have no alternatives. If we paid full medical benefits to these laborers you could expect that your houses will cost at least 20% - 40% more than the going price right now. That places an additional $120,000 to the cost of a $300,000 house. All you in those nice comfy houses, you would be living on the other side of the preverbal train tracks without them. Uncle Sam is very aware of this and that is why it is allowed to continue. The additional burden placed on the school and medical programs does not outweigh the additional burden that would be placed on our Gross National Product if we paid these individuals what they deserve. I am not advocating that this is right or that there isn't a better solution. What I am saying is that this system does work and the Latino community is a hard-working loyal group of people who are being made the scapegoat in this situation. There is a good argument that these people are being treated unfairly. There is also a good argument that this system as it operates is the better of two evils. Because if we did pay these men what they deserved there would be less to go around for all of us. We have drawn a line in the sand but some only have half of the facts. This country is still considered the country of opportunity and will continue to be so long as a person can get paid to use his back and his hands. Trust me our company will hire whoever is willing to work and will show up the following Monday after payday. What this country lacks is self-motivation. Fall on hard times and see how motivated you get. Ask a Latino if he wanted to move here or if he needed to. Most of the time he needed to and he would surely return if only he could find a decent job. America should be proud to still be the land of opportunity. Americans have just as much of an opportunity as the Latino community.

I cannot express how proud I am to be Hispanic. The rest of the labor force should take a page from us. I have a message for the Hispanic workers who are rebuilding New Orleans. You keep doing what you are doing. No one else will. When you have finished your work, be proud of what you accomplished. I know I will be proud of you. I am a witness of the families and lives that can be built and sustained through hard work. Other people will finally realize what a valuabe resource you are. I also have a message for Ray Nagin. Ray Nagin, you should get down on your knees and thank God that there are hard working Hispanic laborers that are rebuilding a place which you did nothing to save from disaster. You should stop worrying about this and start thinking of a way to help. The only thing you have managed to do is to lay blame on others for your own shortcomings. When the levees broke, you blamed the U.S. government. When there was poor management after the hurricane, you blamed the governor and the U.S. government. Now when your own citizens want no part of rebuilding their own community, you blame the Latino community instead of your own citizens who would not do the work even if you took away their monthly checks. Wake up. Nagin, maybe it's time to point the finger in your own direction and onto those people who live there that won't get off their lazy butts to help. Don't blame people who are making an honest living. Blame those lazy bums who are living on the money that I and other hard working Latinos provide. I have a solution for getting all the Hispanic workers out of your state. Offer the same jobs at the same wages to your own people. I'm sure they will take you up on your offer. If they don't, then shut up and be grateful.

The New Orleans Times Picayune reported Mayor Ray Nagin saying he didn't want the city overrun by Mexicans. Heaven forbid. They might bring something with them totally unknown to many New Orleans natives - a work ethic!

I worked in construction after the SF earthquake and I will tell you from experience that the hardest working crews were the mexiacans, punctual, hardworking and polite. They would work all the overtime that was needed to help evacuate those injured and rebuild or retrofit bridges and streets so that transportation could go back to normal, crews were around 95% Mexicans, as we would call the unions to send us more help only the Mexiacans would line up, where the others would not want to be sent out because the work was too demanding and would be content waiting at the union halls for easier work assignments.

Why do people hire illegals??? 1) Either because Anglos want to keep more money for themselves. Either it's the contactors bidding low for work so they can have a job or their employer who do not want to pay a lot of money, somewhere someone must be willing to give up money. Just another example of the richer getting richer and the poorer getting poorer. 2) There's a job that needs to be done and no one else wants to do it so someone has to. I remember how hard my mom worked cleaning peoples home for $20 a day because they could not take care of themselves and pick stuff up. Hispanics are just trying to provide for their family not trying to make people unemployed.

As far as immigrants vs illegals, it was the whites who came here, north america and south america have been together all this time, maybe native americans should apply to both continents.

Hispanics/minorities do work hard, who do you see begging for money on the street corners??? Hispanics, african-americans, no, you see anglos. The mexicans/blacks at least try to sell you something, not just beg for money.

As far as Mayor Ray Nagin, guess he forgot how the african-americans came to this country as slaves, what suffering they went through for who??? The rich planation owners. His real issues just like any other city is how can you get the poorer more educated and able to provide to the economy. Figure it's going to be hard to get reelected since all of New Orleans pre-Katrina poor are probably not coming back since they were too poor to leave in the first place. He's also just afraid that mexicans aren't going to spend all their money on the French Quarter. Head to the Superdome/Convention