A group representing farmers, processors, and other businesses is pushing for reforms to allow reliable and highly skilled workers to stay on the job in the U.S.
James O’Neil is the Director of Legislative Affairs and Agriculture for the American Business Immigration Coalition. He says the Secure America’s Workforce campaign is trying to show federal officials that farmers, processors, and others need these skilled, reliable workers. “We need solutions that both protect and retain the workforce that we have in American agriculture, filling essential roles and also revise our visa systems.”
O’Neil says enforcement raids are causing disruptions in the farm workforce, and his members are concerned about losing good employees in an ICE raid. “There are farmers that are concerned that if their facility would be raided, they might have workforce that is forced out, and that leaves the farmer out in the cold. They don’t have the ability to get their crops picked. They wouldn’t have the ability to make sure their cows get milked.”
O’Neil says the H-2A program is the only option for most, and it’s not working because it is insufficient, too expensive, and cuts out livestock and producer growers that have year-round production.
O’Neil says everyone supports efforts to remove dangerous criminals with enforcement raids, but the reality that we find ourselves in is that actually, a very small percentage of the folks that are being detained and then eventually deported have any criminal record at all.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
That old saying, “if it was easy anyone could do it”, seems to apply to immigration and immigration reform. Congress continues to kick this very sensitive issue down the road. Right now, they can’t even agree on the removal of dangerous criminal illegal immigrants, so it is difficult to imagine they could tackle reform any time soon. But one thing almost everyone agrees on is that the system for ag workers from overseas is not working in its present configuration. Hopefully, in the not-too-distant future, Congress can and will fix it!
For the time being, be sure to push ways to make life more efficient and productive for the farmers and ranchers in your area. AgTruckTrader.com® can make it easier for farmers/ranchers to locate you and that truck or SUV they want to lease or purchase. CADFI can help them match their payments to their income flow. CAD Protect will put their mind at ease when it comes to warranty issues when using the truck on a farm.
