By Last week's local demonstration day workers in favor of a congressman's proposed Day Workers Fairness and Protection Act touched on issues with which we can sympathize - but can't support.

We agree on a basic humanitarian level that day workers should not be abused in any way. However, requiring provisions such as sustainable wages, overtime pay and four-hour minimum daily rates, should not be applied to those who are in this country illegally. And whether those involved want to acknowledge it or not, nearly all day workers are here illegally.

These workers are independent contractors, if you will, who are willing to risk being caught and deported for the opportunity to work for wages 10 times what they would get in Mexico. But most are not here seeking citizenship - they’re here to make money then go back to their home country.

Such people do not deserve to be protected by rights in our nation when they are already breaking the law by being here. The day workers made the choice and took the risk that they could be cheated out of ample pay, just as those using the workers are taking risks of sorts by hiring them.

It is a most obvious example of a free market, supply and demand, without any outside regulation. Regulating such activity is akin to providing protections for recreational drug users who ignore laws stating such possession is illegal. This proposed bill offers law for those who are ignoring it.

Nearly all of the impacted workers are Latino, but our stance is not a question of race - it is of fairness.

No, it isn’t fair that some of us are born into poor conditions. It is admirable that many of these workers are here to improve the lives of themselves and their families.

But we would prefer having these people go through the proper channels of obtaining citizenship. The day worker centers, such as St. Joseph the Worker Center in Mountain View, can play a major role in helping them do this.

To simply sneak into a country illegally and reap the benefits without contributing is not right. And it is doubly not right to give such people “rights.”

This proposed federal act would simply encourage more undocumented workers, fueled by assurances that they have additional protections.

With all due respect to the workers, who are here for jobs because Los Altos residents keep offering them, they do not deserve this act. State your intent to become an American, and then we’ll talk.