These are the hardest working people in America. I have no idea where the construction business would be without their skills.
Not just the construction business. I don't know in which part of what your profile refers to as "Eastern USA" you live, but in our neck of the woods—a small Maryland city not far from Washington, D.C.—latinoamericanos are essential to just about every service industry. Ask to see the kitchen of almost any sushi place or Chinese restaurant—our town has a large ethnic Asian population—and you will encounter hispanohablante cooks and often the chef de cuisine. (
Oui, probably French restaurants, too, if there are any left in Washington.) Local businesses scarf up the recent arrivals for service jobs because of their work ethic and aptitude for learning new skills. Of course, there are many professionals of Latin American descent here, as well, but they tend to be second- or subsequent-generation.
