Illegal immigrants finding it hard to get work (christmas, Mexico, Americans)

[mkfarnam]

"REGION: Illegal immigrants finding it hard to get work"


Some say they are contemplating going back home
By EDWARD SIFUENTES - Staff Writer |
Saturday, December 20, 2008



For the first time since he arrived in the United States 27 years ago, Isidro Alvarado, a day laborer in Vista, says he's thinking about going home to Mexico.

Alvarado said he is finding it increasingly hard to get work here.

He's not alone.

A recent study by the Pew Hispanic Center, a research organization, reported that Latino immigrants ---- legal and illegal ---- have been hit hard by the nation's struggling economy, and some are returning home.

That's playing out locally. Officials with two North County day labor centers run by nonprofit agencies said they have seen a steady decline in the number of employers looking for workers.

Work is one of the main reasons why illegal immigrants such as Alvarado come to this country.

Alvarado said he resorted to standing at the corner of South Santa Fe and Escondido avenues in Vista three months ago, when he lost his job at a construction company.

He gets odd jobs from homeowners and small contractors moving furniture, landscaping and painting, he said.

"This year, it got ugly," Alvarado, 32, said. "Many people are out of work and don't even have money for presents. It doesn't even feel like Christmas."

Over the last week, he said, he has worked only one day and is struggling to make ends meet.

At about 10 a.m. Tuesday, no employer had stopped to offer work to the more than 50 men standing on the sidewalk, many of whom were illegal immigrants from Mexico and Central America.

Gordon Hanson, an economist at UC San Diego who specializes in immigration issues, said the jury is still out as to whether immigrants are leaving the U.S. because of the economy.

He said much of the data that is available was culled before the economic crisis deepened late this year.

But there are early indications they are leaving, Hanson said.

"This is an expensive place to live, and some of the hardest hit areas in the economy are construction, hospitality and retail," industries that rely heavily on immigrant labor, Hanson said.

In North County, Interfaith Community Services officials said fewer and fewer employers have come to them looking for workers in recent years.

For example, there were 248 employers in October 2005, 137 in October 2006, 78 in October 2007 and 82 in October 2008...........

REGION: Illegal immigrants finding it hard to get work : North County Times - Californian (http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/12/20/news/sandiego/z1d2703d8b7baaa4488257521006b3238.txt#tp_newCommen tAnchor - broken link)

[malamute]

Sad isn't it -- but where are all the sad stories about Americans who are finding it hard to find jobs?

One of the problems with our economy is that we had too many nations trying to live off one economy. The American consumer simply cannot support the USA, Mexico, China and all the rest.

[Ciaerin]

Originally Posted by malamute

Sad isn't it -- but where are all the sad stories about Americans who are finding it hard to find jobs?

One of the problems with our economy is that we had too many nations trying to live off one economy. The American consumer simply cannot support the USA, Mexico, China and all the rest.

very very true mal.... rep for you great point.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by malamute

Sad isn't it -- but where are all the sad stories about Americans who are finding it hard to find jobs?

One of the problems with our economy is that we had too many nations trying to live off one economy. The American consumer simply cannot support the USA, Mexico, China and all the rest.

That's exactiy what was going threw my head when I read this.