by The decontaminated residences of the day workers had withstood the wildfires in Los Angeles for months. They vacuumed hazardous soot and ash, cleaned books and framed photographs, disposed of clothing and furniture that could not be saved, and sweated while wearing masks and safety suits.
Ready for additional work, they crowded into a modest job center in Pasadena, California, one morning last month. However, the circumstances felt too risky on this particular day.
It wasn’t the poisonous vapors or pollutants. Six persons were held by federal immigration officers outside the Winchell’s Donut House, which is only a few blocks away.
Instead of going to their work places, the day laborers returned home.
Jose Madera, the director of the Pasadena Community Job Center, which earlier this year assisted in training roughly 40 immigrant workers in fire cleanup, stated that they are living in fear. They have no idea what might occur if they go to work; will they return?
The recovery of Pasadena, Altadena, and Pacific Palisades following the disastrous fires in January is greatly aided by immigrant laborers. In the months since the Eaton and Palisades fires destroyed almost 16,000 properties in the area, they have removed trash, cleansed homes harmed by smoke, and in certain cases, started the reconstruction process.
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