Burning Atlanta

I don't oppose day labor centers, as long as they check people to make sure who they are and that they're legally allowed to work in this country. I can't get over the thought that people would hire total strangers off of a street corner and take them to their homes or business to do whatever labor, having no idea if these workers are wanted murderers, rapists, thieves, whatever.

Lo siento

Groups demanding a crackdown on illegal immigrants gathered before dawn today at a north Phoenix day laborers center, and shut it down on the eve of the day Arizona's new employers sanctions law takes effect.

The center's operator, Salvadore Reza, told the few days laborers who were there to go home. That triggered a shouting match between Reza and the demonstrators, led by a group called United for a Sovereign America.

``Merry Christmas, Happy New Year," Reza yelled at the demonstrators who yelled back ``We love America, and Happy New Year to you, Buddy."

Rick Galeener, with United for a Sovereign America, said the demonstrators would stay at the day labor center, near 25th Street and Bell road.

``He (Reza) wished us a Happy New Year, we wished him a Happy New Year. But, we're going to stay here to let the contractors who driev by know that they are not supposed to be picking up illegals," Galeener said.

Galeener said the day laborers center ``is operating under a permit that's expired. It's not supposed to be here and we want to see it shut down."