Illegal immigrants and New Orleans
 

This article was on my homepage a few minutes ago. Overall, I found it pretty interesting. I'd been waiting to see if the immigrants would head for NO and figured it would be just a matter of time since the rebuilding need is so great.

I'm curious to hear others' thoughts on this article.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051223/..._immigrants_dc

I heard something today that the mayor is promising chocolate to everyone who comes to NO (maybe even free chocolate).

Didn't hear the whole story, though.

ummm.....i think you're referring to Nagin saying that the city would one again be a "chocolate city"

When asked where the American workers were, Del Rio shook his head and said, "Who knows? It just seems like the Latin race likes to work more."

:rolleyes:

I saw this on the news last night. I guess the New Orleans hispanic population went from 3% to 20% in just two months after the hurricane.

Yeah, that part irritated me, too. I don't think it's got anything to do with anybody liking to work more... it's just that legal American workers either a) already have stable, decent-paying jobs or b) have roots where they are and don't want to take off to a new city.

There are many more people that don't have jobs in that area. Louisiana is not the beacon of economic achievement in the last century.

And since you don't care for illegal immigrants, would you be against Mexicans going to New Orleans too? Should the city not be rebuilt because "legal American workers either a) already have jobs or b) have roots where they are and don't want to take off to a new city" or is it convenient to like them now>

-Rudey

I'm against illegal immigrants going anywhere in this country. Although the need in New Orleans is admittedly great, I don't think they should be there.

That's sad.

Americans according to you don't live there and already have jobs.

You've condemned New Orleans to never be fixed :(

-Rudey

You've never met an illegal immigrant have you?

If you have, have you ever talked to them?

If construction companies need help down there (and we all know that they do), then the best way to get that help without using illegal workers is to heavily promote the available jobs. Offer training to those who are interested but don't have the necessary skills. Offer higher wages to people who are skilled. There are plenty of things that New Orleans can do to market itself to the types of workers that the city needs in its rebuilding efforts. Using illegal labor isn't the only way to fix the Big Easy.

I've met many illegal immigrants, and talked to them as well.

I don't mean "I'll have a double cheeseburger with fries". That doesn't count as talking to an illegal.

After the city is built would you support the illegals getting jobs in banking and working for a fraction of the going rate?

Yes. I don't work in banking anymore. :)

-Rudey