The following day, he organized jornaleros — day laborers — as volunteers to clear lawns, streets and driveways of fire debris.

After Katrina, he said, “every five minutes employers were stopping at a day laborer corner and actually they were paying good.”

The Pasadena Community Job Center is a gathering spot for day laborers.

Roman Perea, 62, a day laborer who lives in the desert town of California City, waits for work opportunities at a local Home Depot each morning.

And most of those counted as employed are stuck in precarious circumstances as day laborers and farm hands, lacking reliable wages and government workplace protections.