aem wrote:
> The NY Times this week has a story about federal efforts to prosecute
> restaurants that hire illegal immigrants in their kitchens.
> http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/di...tml?ref=dining


>
> ' “We always, always hire the undocumented workers,” he said. “It’s
> not just me, it’s everybody in the industry. First, they are willing
> to do the work. Second, they are willing to learn. Third, they are not
> paid as well. It’s an economic decision. It’s less expensive to hire
> an undocumented person.” '
>
> So if restaurants replace all those workers, and raise prices to pay
> them, will you eat out as much as before? -aem
>

It depends on how much they raise the prices, obviously. 10-20% and we
might just give up appetizers or dessert. Much more and we'd probably
go out less often or to less expensive neighborhood restaurants (which
mostly hire family or students, anyway, and wouldn't be much affected.)

I know this is geared toward (against?) Mexican workers, but if you look
behind the scenes at Asian and other ethnic restaurants, many are
staffed with recent arrivals also, whose immigration status is seldom in
question.

gloria p