Contra Costa Times reported that January 3rd 2012 began like any other workday for Mr David Herrera. Only his mother's grave, distant expression as she cleaned their already immaculate Bay Point home suggested this would be his last day at Pacific Steel, where he worked for more than a decade.
A recent federal immigration audit found that approximately 200 employees, a third of the foundry's workforce, couldn't prove they are legal residents. The company has been firing those workers in groups each week since October; the most senior employees worked their last day this week.
Mr Herrera, who has mapped out an escape route at every factory he has worked at since he came to this country in 1991, said that "Since I crossed the border, I always knew this could happen. You get used to living with it."
Pacific Steel is one of the largest foundries in the nation. The company started making steel parts for trucks and buses in the shadow of Interstate 80 in West Berkeley 75 years ago, when the now posh neighborhood was predominantly heavy industry.
The quality inspection warehouse where Herrera has worked for 12 years is dimly lit and filled with the roar of machines and the clanking of metal. Mr Herrera took his place sorting metal pieces that connect trailers to trucks.
One of them, Mr Braxton Flores, took this job last month because the pay was better than at Home Depot. Still, the 20 year old El Sobrante resident sometimes feels uneasy. He said that "It's sad because some of these guys have families, two or three kids and a wife. I'm young, and the only person I take care of is my mom."
Mr Herrera believes his family will lose its Bay Point home. He was in the process of getting a loan modification but will now be disqualified because he will have no pay stubs to show the lenders. He is planning to move his wife, mother and three children into a trailer and drive to Washington state, where illegal immigrants can get driver's licenses.
He said that "It's going to change a lot of things. I'm not materialistic, but my family is accustomed to having stuff like computers and a television."
Mr Herrera and the other departing workers said stoic goodbyes, shaking hands and assuring each other they would be fine. But the workers staying on were more emotional.
Mr Jose Tamayo, whose children are friends with Herrera's, cried a few times during the day. He said that "There have been layoffs before, but it never felt like this. We know these guys aren't coming back."
Mr Tamayo said he was shocked that so many of his longtime colleagues and friends were in the country illegally.
Pacific Steel is now checking on new hires with the federal E Verify program, as announced by two large posters in the main office.
Mr Herrera says he will not return to his hometown in Michoacan, not wanting to subject his children to drug war violence. He also fears they would not be able to afford higher education there.
During an evening break, Mr Herrera explained that when his daughter turns 18, she will be able to petition for her parents' citizenship. He said that "It's a long time. I feel like I am entering a prison where I have to wait to be free. But I remind myself, there are people dying right now crossing the desert to get what I already have."
Then he returned to the nearly empty foundry to finish his shift.
(Sourced from www.mercurynews.com)
