Many Mexican immigrants are the kind of residents America needs

By Cesar Lumba, Las Vegas

Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015 | 2 a.m.

The most recent Republican debate demonstrated why Donald Trump enjoys so much support from the American public. Despite a lackluster, somewhat phlegmatic performance, Trump emerged from the debate unscathed.

I can see no other reason than that Trump’s passionate embrace of the great mass of Americans being hurt by a globalizing economy is deeply etched in people’s subconscious. People are willing to forget many of Trump’s faults because they are convinced he is passionately on their side and is not a traditional politician who is only interested in being elected.

Trump, however, is very wrong in his characterization of illegal Mexican and South American immigrants. Such immigrants are hard workers, highly qualified, uncomplaining and willing to do the work most Americans are not willing to do.

I’ve hired many contractors over my lifetime, and the best contractors were those who employed Mexicans, many of whom probably were undocumented immigrants. The workers were master masons and expert carpenters and tile and carpet layers. They did superior work.

We all know the immigrants who crossed our southern borders illegally had to swim across rivers, navigate deserts, climb mountains, evade border patrolmen, and fight off rapists and thugs. These are not ordinary mortals who managed to end up in our cities. They are physically strong, smart and wily. Some have managed because they were lucky.

Whatever their talents or their luck, one thing is clear about these immigrants: They are survivors who have many skills and are hard workers, the kind of Americans we need in this country.