Applicants line up to fill

jobs open after plant raid

Ed Kemp
Hattiesburg American
August 27, 2008

LAUREL — Howard Industries found itself at the center of activity
again Tuesday.

Hundreds of job applicants lined up, eager to take advantage of the

sudden job openings at the plant located in Jones County, where the

unemployment rate is 6.3 percent.

ICE agents on Monday seized 595 plant workers suspected of being in

the country illegally. Several workers, who did not identify themselves,

said Tuesday they were working and trying to keep the plant operational

in the wake of the sudden loss of co-workers.

They said it was common knowledge many of their co-workers were

suspected to be illegal.

It's an idea that maddens Samantha Stevens, 18, of Heidelberg, who

was among those who pulled up to Avenue A across from the plant's

entrance throughout the day. She said she has been unable to find a

job since she graduated from Heidelberg High School in the spring

and blames, in part, the willingness of companies to hire illegal

workers.

"We were here first. It's not fair for them to have a job," she

explained.

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