"meanwhile, American high schoolers and college kids, who could also use the money, are now not even an option.
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That's a good idea, but don't hire minors to do any sort of dangerous work. Check your homeowner's insurance policy. Most will cover day laborers, but not minors.
In today's litigious world, it pays to be careful. A sprained back could cost you plenty.
But don't kid yourself, today's illegals are also not bashful about sueing. And I am not sure about the insurance covering for that either, I know a rancher had an illegal killed while working for him. None of his insurance would pay, he was told he should have had workers comp, and when he was taken to court he had to pay the illegal's family the same amount of money they would have received if he had been covered by WC. The rancher also had to pay fines for not having WC to begin with.