The Mexicans did.
The "MEXICAN INVASION" didn't start until the liberals, pushed on by the AFL-CIO, closed down the bracero program that allowed Mexican nationals to legally enter the country and work on a seasonal basis.
And you want to know the difference between the Mexicans who did "some of this work" years ago and the Mexicans that do it today? Yes, the vast majority of them were LEGAL immigrants who had a respect for the laws of this country. Something seriously lacking in the invaders of today.
Why do you offer excuses for our illegal immigration crisis? I believe in your twisted reasoning you indirectly answered the difference between Mexican immigrants who did "some of our manual labor" years ago and the Mexicans that do it today. Yes, the vast majority of them back then were LEGAL immigrants who had a respect for the laws of this country. Something seriously lacking in the invaders of today.