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!