Work nearly grinds to halt as immigrant-raid rumors circulate (Houston)

[PfcHammer]

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory2/2509369

April 16, 2004, 6:47AM

Work nearly grinds to halt as immigrant-raid rumors circulate
By EDWARD HEGSTROM
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

Most days, teams of Latino immigrant workers swarm over the townhouses under construction near Gulfgate, filling the air with the buzz of power tools and orders shouted in Spanish.

But the site was nearly silent Thursday. Instead of dozens of workers, there was just a handful, mostly Anglo contractors.

Like dozens of work sites across greater Houston, construction at the Gulfgate site was nearly brought to a standstill because the immigrant workers had fled, likely after hearing rumors of government immigration raids.

"The crews have just scattered, sometimes leaving their tools at the site," said Allen Griffiths, a plumbing contractor who busied himself talking on a two-way radio Thursday. "It's just brought construction to a halt."

The rumors -- which the government denies -- have spread throughout greater Houston, affecting work from Pasadena to Tomball. Other businesses -- like groceries, meat markets, lawn services and taquerias -- have also lost workers and customers because of the rumors.

The rumors have been spreading for about a week, workers said. But they gained momentum Wednesday afternoon, when Houston Spanish-language radio stations and then television began reporting the news.

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