Latino Day Laborers Share Views on Bush's Ideas
Ernesto Portillo Jr.

It was several hours before President Bush touched down last week at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson to talk up his immigration reform plan. On a South Side street corner, several day laborers were already talking about Bush's immigration ideas.

"He should give us work permits so we can work and return home to be with our families," said Carlos, a 31-year-old Honduran.

The morning air was still cold from the overnight freeze, but the three men know the political winds are burning hot with debate about illegal immigration. Nearly everyone has been talking about how to deal with people who cross the border illegally.

Undocumented immigrants have something to say, too.

"We just ask for the opportunity to work," said César, a 32-year-old Mexican worker from Cancún.

The workers were unaware of the president's visit that day, but they know they are the subject of divisive debate across the country. Various bills have been proposed in Congress, which range from sealing the border with increased enforcement to allowing undocumented immigrants to work legally in the country.

Bush, in his speech to Customs and Border Patrol agents, touted his administration's get-tough response to illegal immigration. He cited the spending of millions of dollars for new agents and physical barriers and technology, which he claimed is denting the flow of illegal immigrants.

Bush said he wants undocumented immigrants to understand that if they violate immigration laws, they will be repatriated to their home countries.

"And they need to stay at home," the president said.

The workers I spoke with agreed with the president. They want to stay home, too.

"I have not seen my family," said Carlos, who crossed the border more than a year ago and has not returned to Honduras to see his wife and child. César, too, has not seen his two children and wife for more than a year.

Crossing the border illegally has become more difficult and expensive. Going home and returning to this country is too risky, they said.

But the jobs are north of the border and that's why they are here, they said.

Alfredo, 39, from Acapulco, has been in this country for 14 years and is a legal resident.

Jobs can be found but not steady work, he said.

Even when they work, they don't always get paid. Alfredo said his most recent employer fired him and kept his wages.

The men said any guest-worker program should include protection rights for them.

They also scoffed at claims that more border agents and fences will reduce illegal immigration. Jumping the border will become more difficult but not impossible, they said.

To a large extent, the workers agreed with the president. More enforcement will not work without temporary worker provisions.

Workers need to register for a fixed time and return home, Bush said. This will permit honest workers to provide for their families and respect the law. It will also reduce the number of people who cross the border illegally, permitting border agents to nab the bad guys, the President claimed.

Finally there's a consensus on immigration reform.

If the president and undocumented immigrants can agree on a plan, surely Congress can, too.

(Ernesto Portillo Jr. is a columnist for the Arizona Daily Star. He may be reached at 520-573-4242 or by e-mail at netopjr@azstarnet.com)

© 2005, Hispanic Link News Service
12/11/05
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