Mexican Workers Provide a Resort Island’s “Backbone’ - On Santa Catalina Island off Southern California, immigrants from Mexico make up much of the labor force.

“he flames and smoke are gone, the tourists are coming back and the Rufino, Campos and Hernandez families, part of the Latino immigrant work force keeping things running here, are again receding into the background of this island known more for its bison and bungalows than as a center of immigration.

“Thank God that the fire didn’t destroy the island or else I would be out of work,” said Agustina Rufino, 48, a Mexican who has lived here on Santa Catalina Island for several years and drives a tourist trolley and taxi along this town’s picturesque streets.

The large Mexican community on the island emerged to the wider public when nearly 200 Mexican immigrants who evacuated the island stayed overnight at a Red Cross shelter on the mainland. “

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