Here we go....

"Currently, we have about 60 to 70 workers a day vying for about 20 to 25 jobs a day at the Center," Sherod wrote. "That means we need an additional 10 to 12 jobs a day at the Center."

Ok, so everybody head down to the Day Worker Center and be prepared to break the law. It's illegal to hire undocumented workers.

Oh that's right they want jobs to pay $300 in rent. Rent to whom? What conditions of squalor does this center support? And then they need to send money back home. Where? To relatives in Arkansas? Wyoming?

I live one block from the Day Worker Center and it is quiet, clean and nicely landscaped. I support the work they do for our neighbors from other countries who are working on becoming citizens, hence the need for additional classes. Would all of you narrow-minded people LOOK at the good rather than making stuff up that isn't true. MOST people in this country came from somewhere else originally so let's give these hard-working folks a chance.

Yes, they are well behaved people living here illegally, and if you hire undocumented workers you too are breaking the law.
Its like MV is saying "Hey, its fine to speed on 101 between Shoreline and San Antonio" But the highway patrol would tell you otherwise.

If MV is so anxious to support this illegal labor force hub, ask
how many workers from the Day Worker center the city is regularly utilizing.
My guess is that they cannot hire them because they would be in violation of law, but then they turn around and encourage others to hire them.

I will fully support the DWC and would probably even make donations to it if they would only guarantee the laborer I am hiring is legal for me to hire, and will not jeopardize own freedom simply by hiring them. A 200 dollar job should not assume all the risk that one must take when hiring undocumented workers. It seems a simple enough request.

I would like to ask Joe the Plumber where your family came from originally...and By the Book, doesn't it all depend on which book you go by, the laws of the land or the laws of humanity? Everyone has so much worry and anger and fear. Just for one moment a day open your 'books' your minds and your hearts to the world around you and not just your own back yard. Which if you look around it, could probably use some honest hardworking Day worker to help you get the weeds pulled, the mulch spread out, the garden planted and the irrigation system in place. A win win for everybody - Wouldn't it be great if we lived in a world that what you put out into it you got back. Oh wait that is where we live, unfortunately there are just too many people that put out negative, selfish perspectives and that is what we keep getting back. If you can just change one negative feeling a little bit everyday - step out of your comfort zone and try to step into someone else's shoes - then your perspective might widen. Like my mother always said, If you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all -
The proud daughter of Irish immigrants!
Here's hoping...

Not pretending to represent any neighbors of the day worker center, just pointing out: There is an ENORMOUS difference between embracing something and choosing to not register a formal complaint about it.

Hey, let's write an article that spotlights all the great things the Day Worker Center does. This is not news, this is propaganda, one-sided journalism and free advertising for illegal activities at best.

There should be a way for employers (like me needing AFFORDABLE home repairs) to sponsor a temporary work visa for someone at the center. I can't tell you how many times I have waited around for home contractors who either (1) never show and (2) if they do, quote me an incredibly high estimate for simple repairs and remodels. There are not enough trade workers in this area. The ones on the Peninsula are too busy remodling mansions in Atherton and Palo Alto to return my calls. The companies in San Jose think Mountain View is too far a commute. We need more workers around here and these guys are just sitting around needing work. Trouble is I know nothing about them. Are they skilled? Do they have a criminal record? Can I describe my job to them in English? ... And will I break the law by hiring an undocumented alien? I am not here to debate this issue but to underscore the need for more trade workers in this area and the parallel need for a system which can quickly legitimize a connection between these day workers and potential employers like me.

Concerning hiring workers, they all will claim to know how to do anything, and that they understand you. It's a macho thing, they don't want to appear stupid and you can't show them either. In my opinion save
some grief and hire a qualified worker.

Mountain View supports illegal immigrants while turning it's back on those of us who respect and obey the law. My Grandparents waited for the opportunity to immigrate to the U.S. legally. Why can't the millions who are here illegally do the same?

I pay taxes, have a drivers license and have auto insurance. I am tired of being a second class resident!.

I want to take my Social Security and move to Mexico, but I can't do that because of their tight immigration restrictions. Who's the most racist when it comes to immigration in North America? MEXICO, hands down.

Between Google on one end of town, the Day Worker Center on the other, and an activist City Council, we are screwed.

"The workers at the Center are extremely under-employed and can barely get by financially," said Craig Sherod in an email pitch for the drive. "A worker who comes to the Center daily is likely to receive eight hours of work a week, and at $12 an hour, that works out to less than $500 a month. Rent is typically $300 a month so you can see what I mean by 'barely getting by.'"

Why does the Day Worker Center lure hard working men and women to leave their homes and families in Mexico, to make a dangerous trip and live in fear of being arrested, with the promise of the American Dream, when there are so few opportunities that they are 'barely getting by'?

@Frustrated

"There are not enough trade workers in this area."

It's difficult to complete with the black-market. No license, no insurance, no taxes.

Anyone ever tried to work in Mexico? I know several people and the Mexican government makes it impossible for non-citizens to work there.

But their President complains to our President that we're making it too hard for Mexicans to migrate and work in the United States.

Seriously.. we're that stupid. I'm not saying a flood of Americans will want to go work in Mexico but I say we make them practice what they preach.

I can't believe the city supports this, Home depot seems to be working just fine as a "Day Worker Center". Can someone who has used this service explain to me how the process works and what kind of "work" you had done. Thanks.

Interesting article in Bloomberg: Web Link