Controversial East End day labor center to shut down

June 24, 2008, 11:09PM
Controversial East End day labor center to shut down
Lack of funds will close site often seen as symbol of illegal immigration debate

By JAMES PINKERTON
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

An East End day labor center that became a flashpoint in the local immigration debate will close next week because of a lack of funding, causing concern among dozens of workers who use the facility.

Marc Levinson, director of agency development for Neighborhood Centers Inc., which manages the site, said the nonprofit doesn't have the resources to keep the facility operating.

The East End Worker Development Center has operated with $100,000 in private funds during the past 12 months, after an earlier decision by the city to discontinue funding. The use of a portion of the city's federal grant money to run the center ignited a rancorous budget debate among City Council members in 2006.

Shortly before city funding expired last summer, Mayor Bill White lined up undisclosed donors to keep the center open for another year. However, agency officials say they were unable to raise the money this year to continue operations.

''We're never pleased whenever we have to make a tough decision like this. We just didn't have the resources to keep it going," Levinson said. ''I would not say it's closing because of a lack of desire."

Day labor sites like the East End facility have been symbols locally of the contentious illegal immigration issue. Many day laborers are illegal immigrants.

The center, in a converted auto shop, provides day workers with shelter from inclement weather, bathroom facilities and referrals to other social agencies as they wait to be hired by contractors.


On the streets
Franciso Veras, on-site director of the East End center, said 40 to 45 day workers look for jobs there daily.

''My concern is they will stay outside on the streets, and that people won't be able to see them, and they'll have problems with the police," Veras said.

But not everyone is disappointed at the center's demise.

''I'm not surprised that they are closing. City-sponsored day labor sites fail all over the nation," said Curtis Collier, president of U.S. Border Watch, a local group that has monitored and protested day labor sites.

Collier said the centers often have problems getting workers to fill out required forms, as well as with workers who consume alcohol at the centers.

''American taxpayers, for the most part, are a lot more aware of the problems and don't want their tax dollars supporting these types of locations," Collier said. "Telephone calls have been made to a number of city councilmen by ordinary, everyday citizens complaining about this problem. I hope this is a good sign from City Council. They are answering the call of the taxpayers."

The center, however, is vital to workers such as Gus Gutierrez, a 45-year-old U.S. citizen who picks up construction jobs.

''I'm here and I'm shuffling from job to job, from day to day, and trying to to pay the bills and support my family," said Gutierrez, who has a wife and four sons. ''This corner is good for us, because all the contractors who know me come here to pick me up."


No city funds
Frank Michel, communication director for the mayor's office, said there are no plans for the city to fund the center.

''They weren't getting that many referrals out of there, they have other priorities, so they're going to close it down," Michel added, referring to Neighborhood Centers. ''That's what we were informed."

Maria Jimenez, a Houston immigration activist, said local advocacy groups have not been successful in developing a center that could grow with the needs of day laborers.

''It's bad because in other parts of the country there are day labor centers that are very successful in getting employment for day laborers, establishing trade schools and English classes," Jimenez said.

Jimenez, who helped establish the Houston Network of Day Laborers in April, cited recent estimates of 3,000 to 5,000 day laborers congregating at 29 area locations.

james.pinkerton@chron.com