Agriculture leaders are voicing their support for the immigration reform bill proposal and what it means for ag labor. Sabrina Hill has more.
Click to open or download audio report.
The long-awaited immigration reform bill was formally introduced this week, and is now getting approval from several agricultural groups. Leaders from the Agriculture Workforce Coalition and United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez were together yesterday afternoon showing support for the proposal we first told you about last week. American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman says the bill is a big deal for agriculture – and much better than the H2A program.
In a statement, he says, “Ensuring access to a legal workforce is a high priority for AFBF and we are pleased with this first step in the process. We look forward to working with Senate and House leaders as comprehensive immigration reform legislation is introduced and moves its way through Congress.”
There is still an uphill battle before the bill becomes law, but many in the agriculture industry are saying it’s a step in the right direction.
For a video of Bob Stallman’s comments on immigration reform, click here.
For a video of Monterey County Farm Bureau Executive Director Norm Groot on ag labor and immigration reform, click here.