Herndon closes day labor center; workers to seek jobs elsewhere

Carolyn Hileman* | September 20, 2007

HERNDON, Va. (AP) - A day labor center in Herndon that catered to Hispanic immigrants has closed its doors this afternoon. But the workers say they still have a right to seek work, and they plan to operate an informal center on the sidewalk outside a nearby park. More than 100 people marched today about a mile from the center to Alabama Drive Park, waving U.S. flags, chanting in Spanish and holding up signs saying “We are your neighbors” and “Looking for work is not a crime.” Herndon opened the day labor center in December 2005 as it sought a way to regulate the number of mostly Hispanic immigrants who congregated outside a convenience store. But opponents say the center encouraged illegal activity by helping people hire illegal immigrants.

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