06:26 PM CDT on Tuesday, May 16, 2006

By Doug Miller / 11 News

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And in the midst of the nation’s debate on immigration, a controversial city contract is up for renewal in Houston.

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This center for laborers has become a center of controversy because it gets $90,000 a year from Houston's city government.

Everybody from immigrant workers to city council members have had something to say about spending more taxpayer money on a day labor site.

On Houston’s east side, just a short drive from downtown sits a day labor site where Renato Miranda waits for work.

“We just stand over there on the corner and then if somebody needs someone, they pick it up,” said Renato Miranda, day laborer.

On this day, they said about two dozen laborers found work there after gathering in and around this site.

“We bring the workers off the streets,” said Marc Levinson, Neighborhood Centers Inc.  “We bring a place for contractors to come in and match what their needs are with the workers who have the ability to fill those needs.”

But this center for laborers has become a center of controversy because it gets $90,000 a year from Houston’s city government.

The contract is up for a $100,000 renewal, during the same week the president addressed the nation on immigration.

“And we must enforce our laws,” President Bush said in his speech Monday night.

“I’m guessing somebody wasn’t minding the store, because this is terrible timing.  American taxpayers, especially Houstonians, don’t want their taxpayer dollars going for day labor sites.  They just don’t want that,” said Houston City Councilmember Michael Berry.

“As a former police officer, I like structure.  I like guidelines.  I like process,” said Houston City Councilmember Adrian Garcia.  “And this is what this item is going to bring to the community.”

Of course, the workers who gather there want the contract renewed.

“With more money they’re going to have more, more things for the people.  More help,” Miranda said.  But that won’t happen without more controversy, just a short drive from downtown.