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Since the harsh anti-immigrant law in Alabama went into effect last month, employers in the agriculture and restaurant industries have been dealing with the aftermath of labor shortages and even threats and boycotts for defending Latino workers.

While farmers took the immediate hits following the law’s implementation, seeing an exodus of Latino laborers and watching their crops rot on vines, restaurant owners are now also reporting issues with Latino staff becoming increasingly alarmed over the law to the point of fleeing the state.

While there has been a tremendous outcry around the country for the plight of these Latino workers, one restaurant owner in Birmingham has become the target of threats and boycotts after coming out in defense of his staff.

Steve Dubrinsky is the owner of Max’s Delicatessen, a classic Jewish deli, which he says is staffed by Latinos who are authorized to work legally but have decided to leave the state over the anti-immigrant backlash.  After he spoke out in the local paper, the  Birmingham News about his staff’s fears over the law, he began receiving threats.

“People twisted what the story said,” Dubrinsky said. “I was under attack.”

He shared several of the emails with the Huffington Post.

“Well u can bet your ass that i will never eat in your resturant agian and will tell everybody i know what kind of person you are for suporting those dam wetback that are ruining our country,” one person wrote.

Attacks have been piling on all over the web as well, with accosters leaving negative reviews on different sites over a restaurant they have probably never even visited.

“This hatred being spewed anonymously,” he says, “it’s very scary.”

After attempting to hire one woman for $8.25 an hour to replace his dwindling staff, Dubrinsky says she initially accepted but then refused because she would no longer qualify for food stamps and government-funded health care.

Farm owners are faring no better with the labor choices they’ve been left with.

“People in Alabama are not going to do this,” said tomato farmer Wayne Smith. “They’d work one day and then just wouldn’t show up again.”

Smith says he has never been able to rely on American workers for backbreaking agriculture work in the 25 years he’s been farming.

Back at his restaurant, Dubrinsky says he will continue to defend his staff despite the repercussions because they are “good workers as well as good people.”

“They’re like family to me,” he said.

References:

Huffington Post

San Francisco Chronicle

[Photo By Svgalbertian]

By Zachary González

East Austin, Texas — This part of town has historically been known for holding the largest Latino influence in the capitol city itself. However, apart from the changing culture of the Mexican immigrant neighborhoods, new apartment buildings, lightrails, and the switch from Spanish back to English in the area, this is one of the few places that still represents the heart of Mexico.

Alan, the restaurant owner for Papi Tino’s, generously invited my friend Joseph and I off the street Thursday afternoon to visit his new place on East 6th Street. Though the restaurant was not open, he asked us if we’d like to look inside and share what we thought of his newly opened Mexican cantina.

Waitresses and bartenders greeted us as they were building chairs inside and setting up the new tables, the chefs from Mexico City smiled at us, as the owner was helping set up the final pieces to complete what he says “the atmosphere” of his restaurant.

Sticking around the neighborhood for a couple of hours, we couldn’t help but return during the opening hour. Chile, lime, queso con pan, as well as fabulous margaritas and micheladas are some of the tasty things you’ll enjoy at this place. Most importantly, though, the place has a great atmosphere.

With genuine service, don’t expect this place to rush or push you out to fill up seats! That’s not the owner’s goal here. It’s a place to hang out with friends and enjoy the evenings outside until 1 a.m. if you’d like — just like the restaurants in Mexico.

The Mexican lifestyle here is something more than you will see on the menu. It’s something you will feel when you walk by the place like Joseph and I did. In the midst of a changing side of town, places like this define what’s so special about the east side of Austin and Latin culture.

Zachary González is a student and writer in Austin, Texas.