Oh, the Breslin piece didn't come up. So I wasn't able to read it.
Dominicans tend to be legal, though I'm not sure what the immigration laws are regarding the D.R.
One of the things about unionized NYC is that there are relatively few jobs for illegals in the construction trades. They exist, but not in the numbers you'd think. That's one reason why there is a heavy influx of illegals in the surrounding 'burbs, like Long Island.
Pretty much.
Hispanics, the majority of, are usually either dominican (and mostly legal) or Puerto Rican (always legal) in NYC.
There is no such thing as an "Illegal Puerto Rican immigrant".
That said, unions in NYC (like their counterparts in Boston) do tend to discriminate against minorities.
But because of the money they put in politicians pockets, its often overlooked.
I know guys in constructions unions who tell horror stories about it.
NYC Public unions are a different story altogether though from private unions.