Herndon center open to laborers

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At least 90 day laborers -- and more than a dozen protesters -- gathered yesterday at Herndon's new formal day-worker center that stirred a nationwide debate in the summer over whether taxpayer money should fund such centers, which cater mostly to illegal aliens.

The center officially opened for business at 6 a.m. in the parking lot of the town's old police station, at the intersection of Rock Hill and Sterling roads.

The laborers congregated outside, and protesters stood along the sidewalks and at the center's entrance, holding signs that read "Secure Our Borders" and "Keep Streets Safe." At some points, the protesters clashed with those who came out in support of the center.

By 8:30 a.m., eight laborers had been hired by the few contractors who stopped by the center. Organizers said cold weather and the presence of reporters likely kept away many contractors.

"We're quite happy given that it's about 17 degrees," said Joel Mills, executive council member of Project Hope and Harmony, which runs the center. "This is the kind of turnout that we will expect to see during the winter on cold mornings."

Many laborers said they were happy with the new accommodations. They used to congregate on street corners or in front of convenience stores such as 7-Eleven.

"Today I am very happy because my friends and I finally have a secure place to find work," Salvadoran laborer Mario Martinez told The Washington Times in Spanish.

As the laborers drank hot coffee and munched on bagels in the parking lot, opponents and supporters outside the lot continued the debate about whether taxpayers should fund day-laborer centers.

The Herndon center, which will not check laborers' legal status, will provide portable heaters and a mobile food vendor as well as English classes. Day laborers are made up of immigrants and illegal aliens.

"I don't think [the center is] going to be successful," said Bob Rudine, a member of the Herndon Minutemen, which videotapes or photographs contractors who hire people the group calls illegal aliens. The group has turned over to authorities the names and addresses of 16 persons who it says are unlicensed contractors who hired day laborers in town.