Annotations for Places: Mexico--michoacan

23 years ago, Luis Aguilar was a homeless, undocumented immigrant, wandering the streets of Los Angeles after being picked up by the US Immigration Service. Today, Luis Aguilar manages two successful restaurants in Lamont, California, but he's never forgotten his humble beginnings. And that's why three times a year this once undocumented immigrant opens his doors to feed the homeless. Jose Gaspar reports from Bakersfield, California.

One of the best-known Mexican restaurants in Kern County, California, is El Pueblo Restaurant, located in the small farming town of Lamont, just 20 minutes south of Bakersfield. As usual, the restaurant today is filled to capacity, but today the clients are the homeless people of Kern County. They've been invited here by Luis Aguilar. The owner of El Pueblo.

It comes from my heart that I like to share this with these wonderful people that they really need it, because I went through this a long time ago, and I know how it feels to be on the streets and without a job, and no place to live.

Luis Aguilar came to this country 23 years ago as an illegal immigrant from Michoacán, Mexico. After being picked up by the Immigration Service in Los Angeles, he was deported to Tijuana but made his way back. He was homeless until a married couple took him in and helped him find a job. Today, Luis Aguilar feeds the largest group of homeless people three times a year. And that means a lot to people. Such as 25 year old Joyce Humble, who's been homeless for the past two years.

It feels to me that they're reaching out and helping us on the ones who can't really get out and afford a lunch like this. And it feels great to know that somebody cares.

27-year-old Roger Barton from Los Angeles also came to eat here today. He hasn't eaten in a restaurant in several years.

Well, a lot of these people probably haven't eaten in a restaurant in maybe five years. And what it does, it adds a little bit of, makes them feel a little bit human. Instead of eating on a soup line, day after day after day, they come to a restaurant, sit down, they're served and adds a little hope to them.

More and more people come for the free meal each time. Unemployment in the Central Valley County is one of the highest anywhere in California, especially for farm workers. It's taken a heavy toll on many farm workers such as 52 year old Fidel Luna.

[inaudible] como tres meses sin casa y eso que se debio porque no pago la renta… [English dub]

I've been without work for three months, he says. "There's no more work for me in Los Angeles. There's no money to pay the rent, and it's much more difficult to survive as an undocumented immigrant when we don't have papers.

Porque el que tienen papeles pos [inaudible] y hay le dan para el [inaudible] Yo no tengo nada.

The person who has papers at least can get food stamps. I don't have anything," says Fidel Luna. You can't help but noticing the number of women and children who, along with the men, join the ranks of the homeless. While he's glad to feed the homeless. Luis Aguilar is also sad to see the growing number of people who need his help.

We got children from two years and up, families of seven to eight members in the family. It just makes me upset, see this, all these children without a place to live and I just feel bad and I want to do more for them if I can.

For Latino USA, I'm Jose Gaspar in Bakersfield, California.