I rarely ever see anyone other than people who barely speak English working as lawn care workers, hotel maids, housekeepers, etc.
This idea that "illegals are taking away jobs" is absolutely ridiculous. Ask any currently unemployed citizens if they have too much pride to take certain jobs. Jobs are out there. It’s just that some people wouldn’t take a job that they feel they’re overqualified to do.
The problem is a bit more complicated than just illegal immigration and low paying jobs.
1. Illegals take other jobs besides the typical low paying maid, housekeeper, fast food, lawn care jobs. Look at the housing construction industry as an example. Many of the former high paying union jobs have been taken over by illegals who work for 1/2 to 1/3 the wages. Many entry level manufacturing jobs are being taken by illegals too. In some areas of the country, it is a requirement to speak fluent Spanish to get manufacturing management positions because few people in the factories speak English.
2. Why do the unemployed citizens feel they are above some jobs? All of those jobs were held by citizens thirty or forty years ago. One difference is the availability of entitlement programs such as unemployment and welfare. People used to be ashamed to be on unemployment or welfare but today they almost seemed proud of it. A lot of unemployed people won’t even start looking for a job until their unemployment benefits are about to expire. They consider it a paid vacation.
3. Another reason for people not taking low paying jobs is work ethic. Many people believe they are entitled to start at the top of the pay scale because that is the standard of living they are accustomed to living. One YA question a few months ago was a good example of this. When asked what a reasonable rate of pay for babysitting many of the answers from the teens was $15 an hour or higher. The same is true with many adults. A person who loses their job in a bad economy shouldn’t expect to find another job at the same pay or higher. They should expect to start over and prove themselves again.
The Arizona immigration law is a good law because it might force the federal government to enforce the federal laws or at least to do something about the immigration issue. Eventually it will be good for both those who vehemently oppose immigration and those who are here illegally and hiding. The issue may finally get resolved.
However, people will also find that there are other issues involved and one of them can be defined by something tha used to be well known but many today have forgotten. "ANY HONEST JOB IS A GOOD JOB".