Mississippi Coast recovery effort has a Spanish accent

“In a dwindled local populace still living in government-issued trailers, there is general agreement that the Latino workers ”” many of whom are here illegally ”” are desperately needed.

“People can’t find employees now. That’s one of the reasons you see migrant workers,” said John Thomas Longo, mayor of this beach town where 95 percent of the residential and commercial structures were demolished or damaged by Katrina. “And they bring some needed skills, like tree-topping.”

“Hispanic workers are doing most of the work in recovery and cleanup,” said Bill Chandler, president of the Mississippi Immigrant Rights Alliance. “I think a majority of the residents of the coast really appreciate the work that they are doing.”"

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