World Migrant and Refugee Day

Jay Lerner-Z said: "the reason these people are "illegal" is because the laws have been tightened and narrowed so much that this is the only choice for most."

I don't completely agree with that. I've done a lot (years) of warehouse work. If you want to experience companionship with migrants/immigrants, work in a warehouse.

(FYI, for those who may not know, migrants come to the US, but do not plan to stay. Their intent is to return to their homeland someday. Immigrants come to the US with the intent of staying in the US. In many cases, they are fleeing some form of harassment or persecution.)

All of the migrants I've worked with have been predominantly Mexican. Some were migrants/immigrants from Central and South America, but all could be categorized as "Hispanic". They've come to the US to make money to either send home to families they've left behind, or to save enough to one day return to Mexico to retire. Another reason some were in the US was to get an education, with plans to return home after graduation.

At one of the warehouses where I worked, all EEs needed to be bilingual in Spanish. Spanish was the predominant language spoken on the floor, and for all company/EE meetings. English was the secondary language for the few of us who were US citizens.

The majority of those I worked with had no interest/need to learn English, nor to become a US citizen, as their goal was to return to Mexico. Personally, I never had a problem with that, although there were many times I felt like I was the non-citizen, in my own country.

That could be frustrating, but the men and women I worked with were incredibly warm friends/co-workers. Their work ethic was exemplary, and I looked forward to their companionship, and their comradery every single day I was there.

In contrast to your statement, of the Hispanics I worked with, the majority were Illegal by choice. It was never their plan to become a US citizen.

Updated On: 9/28/25 at 08:45 PM

With illegal migrants being SO essential to John’s workplace, and MANY others too… wouldn't it make more sense for Trump to make them legal?

Jay Lerner-Z said: "With illegal migrants being SO essential to John’s workplace, and MANY others too… wouldn't it make more sense for Trump to make them legal?"

At the warehouse where I worked with Hispanics, management was concerned with money/productivity. That's all.

We worked 12 hrs/day, 4days/week, and 12 hrs/day, 6 days/week during the Christmas season from Thanksgiving through the New Year. There were also times when overtime was offered (12 hr/5 day weeks outside of the Christmas season).

My belief is that Trump is never concerned with rational, or reasonable behavior like "making sense". He is singularly driven by his own ego, money and power. He's a dictator. [full stop]

Updated On: 9/28/25 at 11:07 PM