At least 50-60 percent of these men are believed to have children. While these laborers are separated from their immediate family, most have some extended family connection in the San Diego area. Families Families constitute 5 percent of this population, with outreach agencies reporting an average size of five members. Some extended family members may be included in this estimate. It has also been observed that some couples limit themselves to only one child due to financial hardship.
Many single men live in primitive camps.
These camps may or may not have running water and electricity, and many do not have adequate sewer facilities. Because of the risk to public health and violation of zoning and trespassing laws, camps are frequently razed and the residents forced to go elsewhere. Others may live in trailers parked on their employer's property or on vacant land. Zoning laws have been modified by the County of San Diego to allow a greater number of agricultural employers to house their workers on-site. The majority of single men were extremely reluctant to participate in a 1995 City of San Diego program designed to move workers from camps to apartments or dormitories.