During the apple harvest season the growers would "order" X number of foreign workers estimated to get the job done. The amount would rise and fall as the season progressed. I believe they were "ordered" from the Employment Commission. The Growers Association also operated the migrant workers camp. This was in Winchester, Virginia. Once the self proclaimed Apple Capital of the World. That was years ago and I don't know what they do now. Most of the workers use to be from the Bahamas. They kept moving on to the next crop somewhere and not staying. Where all that broke down into not going home when the work was done I don't know.

Winchester is one of the most scenic towns in Virginia - also Patsy Cline's hometown. Been there many times.

Originally Posted by buggyone

Winchester is one of the most scenic towns in Virginia - also Patsy Cline's hometown. Been there many times.

Proud to call it my hometown too. My Grandfather bought plots close to Patsy. He use to say he wanted to be able to hear her sing forever.

[QUOTE=bkcunningham1;446192]Why would you assume the construction workers are illegals, Buggy? Did you talk to them or are you making assumptions based on the physical appearances of people and their occupations? The entire premise of your question is really prejudicial, racist, fully of hateful stereotyping and just plain wrong, IMHO.

If you could word your question without it being full of hatemongering toward people with brown skin, we may be able to discuss the issue using Alabama's illegal immigrants workers' laws and unemployment figures in the state. Just sayin.'[/QUOTE]

BKCunningham1, I only asked if you honestly believed all the construction workers from Villages contractors and subcontractors at all levels were legal immigrants or American citizens. I did not say they were not - but asked your beliefs. If you would ask me, I would guess a portion are not documented workers based upon the great number of workers doing construction in The Villages.

Now that I stated that, I would like to know what YOU believe The Villages and the surrounding area would do without workers that ARE undocumented. Personally, I think they are necessary to our economy be it for construction work, farm labor work, or other jobs that are hard to fill with American citizens.

I mentioned once before that I had some extensive landscaping done a few months ago. The landscape architect was American and the crew leader was as well. But all the other employees were Mexican and from what I could hear, none spoke a word of English. Having said that, I've never seen a crew work so hard, producing such high quality work. I commented at the time that I'd be surprised if any Americans would work that hard for whatever they were paid. (Yes, that is an assumption!)

Last week I had crown molding installed. The contractor and master carpenter was American. But the entire rest of the six-man crew were Mexican. Four of them were painters and drove 90-minutes from Orlando every day for the jobs booked by the contractor in The Villages. They were in and out in one day, installing molding in every single room in my house. From what I can see, the job is perfect. The painters finished last and swept and vacuumed their way out of the house as they left. Our house was as clean as when they started six hours earlier. Would a crew of six Americans work that hard, producing that level of quality? Never in my life have I had a totally American crew do so for any kind of home improvement project. So I assume it isn't likely here in The Villages either.

All I know is that I am very pleased that there are workers serving The Villages who work so hard and produce such high quality. And honestly, I don't much care whether they have a green card or not. If I had the choice of hiring Americans who would produce the same result for the same price, of course I'd opt to hire them. But guess what? I never have that choice, even though the unemployment rate is well over the national average just outside The Villages. Why don't local contractors hire the unemployed Americans that are obviously available? That answer is pretty obvious.

Perfectly said, VK. You truly are a wise Kahuna.

Originally Posted by buggyone

[QUOTE=bkcunningham1;446192]Why would you assume the construction workers are illegals, Buggy? Did you talk to them or are you making assumptions based on the physical appearances of people and their occupations? The entire premise of your question is really prejudicial, racist, fully of hateful stereotyping and just plain wrong, IMHO.

If you could word your question without it being full of hatemongering toward people with brown skin, we may be able to discuss the issue using Alabama's illegal immigrants workers' laws and unemployment figures in the state. Just sayin.'

BKCunningham1, I only asked if you honestly believed all the construction workers from Villages contractors and subcontractors at all levels were legal immigrants or American citizens. I did not say they were not - but asked your beliefs. If you would ask me, I would guess a portion are not documented workers based upon the great number of workers doing construction in The Villages.

Now that I stated that, I would like to know what YOU believe The Villages and the surrounding area would do without workers that ARE undocumented. Personally, I think they are necessary to our economy be it for construction work, farm labor work, or other jobs that are hard to fill with American citizens.[/QUOTE]

Buggy, why do you think undocumented workers are essential for our economy? Because they work under the table and for little money? Because they work hard? Because the can be treated like slaves with no legal recourse? You say, "undocumented" workers; I say they are what they are, illegals. Why not let them take the route others take when they come to this country to work? It just sounds like you want to keep them beat down. Let's teach them the legal route and help them be upstanding citizens instead of cowering in the shadows when they hear ICE.

Originally Posted by memason

I have been told by Canadians, that they are not permitted to stay longer than 6 months/year by the US government. I believe they also have some health insurance impact, but that is their choice. Staying in the US is not.

Perhaps some of our Canadian or British friends can enlighten us ???

Yes, the six-month maximum stay here in the U.S. is mandated by the U.S. government.

The Canadian health insurance requirement is actually seven months; if Canadians are out of the country for longer than seven months, whether in the U.S. or anywhere else in the world, that is when they lose their health coverage.

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

I mentioned once before that I had some extensive landscaping done a few months ago. The landscape architect was American and the crew leader was as well. But all the other employees were Mexican and from what I could hear, none spoke a word of English. Having said that, I've never seen a crew work so hard, producing such high quality work. I commented at the time that I'd be surprised if any Americans would work that hard for whatever they were paid. (Yes, that is an assumption!)

Last week I had crown molding installed. The contractor and master carpenter was American. But the entire rest of the six-man crew were Mexican. Four of them were painters and drove 90-minutes from Orlando every day for the jobs booked by the contractor in The Villages. They were in and out in one day, installing molding in every single room in my house. From what I can see, the job is perfect. The painters finished last and swept and vacuumed their way out of the house as they left. Our house was as clean as when they started six hours earlier. Would a crew of six Americans work that hard, producing that level of quality? Never in my life have I had a totally American crew do so for any kind of home improvement project. So I assume it isn't likely here in The Villages either.

All I know is that I am very pleased that there are workers serving The Villages who work so hard and produce such high quality. And honestly, I don't much care whether they have a green card or not. If I had the choice of hiring Americans who would produce the same result for the same price, of course I'd opt to hire them. But guess what? I never have that choice, even though the unemployment rate is well over the national average just outside The Villages. Why don't local contractors hire the unemployed Americans that are obviously available? That answer is pretty obvious.

OK, but you're making assumptions here, starting with the citizenship and/or the legality of the workers. Maybe a little stereotyping?

The obvious answer to your last wonderings is obvious, I agree. Americans won't work for the substandard wages that illegals will accept from the exploitive contractors who hire them. (that not saying the workers at your home were illegal or exploited)