NET-workers

According to today's Washington Post, the Herndon Town Council approved the creation of a "formal, taxpayer-funded gathering spot for day laborers" after much controversy last night.

Many of the city council members expressed concern over spending taxpayer money on undocumented immigrants:

The dissenters said a vote to spend public money on a laborer site would amount to an endorsement of illegal immigration.

Opponents from Herndon and as far away as Colorado called for stepped-up police enforcement, legislative changes and an end to the hiring of undocumented workers. Some homeowners said the day laborers are sinking property values. And they said that by using public money to help the workers, Herndon would be committing a crime by supporting illegal immigration.

Wow, who knew that day laborers - people who are just trying to make a living and support their families - are responsible for all of that!?

Again, like for the female day laborers in NYC, providing an organized place for day laborers is a basic issue of safety. One of the Virginia day laborers explains:

"We want a secure site, because our lives are in danger when the contractors leave us on the road," Eric Arauz said through an interpreter. "We are honest workers, not criminals, like they say."