In September 2008, Hurricanes Ike and Gustav ravaged cities along the Texas coast. Ambitious contractors and those just eager to help went looking for laborers ready to do the clean up work. Josue Diaz was one of several who responded. But when Diaz and about 20 other immigrant workers asked for the same wages and safety gear given to American-born workers doing the same job, they wound up in police custody. Diaz, an undocumented employee, was arrested while working for the clean-up company, on charges of theft that were later dropped.