These guys proved to be much more active and ensconced members of their communities than commonly supposed.

Day labor has been thrust into the public consciousness, but we're concerned that the debate has gone on without an understanding of what gives rise to the phenomenon or what the many downsides are to work in this field.

Day labor is not a niche market. It's now entering different aspects of the national mainstream economy.

Rather than the debate being about how immigration impacts neighborhoods, schools and hospitals, maybe you'll now see discussion about how it impacts the business sector.

Many day laborers believe that avenues for enforcement of labor and employment laws are effectively closed to them. This belief is reinforced by the general climate of hostility that exists toward day laborers in many parts of the country.