Foreign workers pick up slack for local business. Lawyers, accountants, others working in Billings hotels

It’s hard to imagine an attorney trading a career in law for a housekeeping job in a Billings hotel.

In fact, there are two attorneys and an accountant – all legal foreign workers – making beds and scrubbing bathrooms at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center.

As Congress and the nation debate fencing borders and cracking down on illegal immigrants, American businesses like the Billings Hotel and Convention Center are jumping through numerous hoops to bring in legal foreign workers.

Ron Muri, who owns the hotel complex with his brother Jeff, said the situation benefits employer and employee.
"When they (foreign workers) come to the United States, they come with one intention," he said. "To earn as much money as they can to send home. If they could, they’d work 60 hours a week."

By LINDA HALSTEAD-ACHARYA
Of The Gazette Staff

Full Story: http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/07/30/news/local/30-hotels.txt