Advocates ready to push guest worker reform in new Congress
Advocates ready to push guest worker reform in new Congress
WASHINGTON -- The stalled immigration reform effort may get a jump-start early in the new Congress as Senate backers of comprehensive reform are drafting a new bill, sources said.
This news cannot be more welcomed by fruit and vegetable growers facing a worsening labor shortage.
Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA) are said to be drafting a revised version of the immigration reform bill that passed the Senate last year. According to The New York Times, the bill's drafters are considering blocking funds to build the 700-mile fence along the border with Mexico and removing the Senate-passed bill's provisions that forced many illegal immigrants to return home before being granted legal status.
In the coming weeks, Sens. Larry Craig (R-ID) and Diane Feinstein (D-CA) plan to introduce the bipartisan-supported Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits and Security Act, a pilot program that would secure a steady labor force for agriculture by streamlining the guest worker program and allowing farm workers an opportunity to earn U.S. citizenship.
"There is a window of opportunity in 2007 as both President Bush and the new Democratic leadership in the House and Senate are more aligned on the need for immigration reform than ever before," Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy for the United Fresh Produce Association, told The Produce News.
"We are preparing to renew the lobbying and grassroots push and to continue to keep the media informed of the urgent need for immigration reform in the agricultural sector," said Craig Regelbrugge, senior director of government relations for the American Nursery & Landscape Association.
Because of the hard work during the past year, Mr. Regelbrugge said he was optimistic AgJOBS would move this year.
"Agriculture is in a 'best of all worlds, worst of all worlds' situation," he said, stating that agriculture is in the best position because the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform has established a compelling case for guest worker reform and brokered a delicate compromise for a legislative solution. But "worst of all worlds because we are the one industry that is experiencing actual and worsening labor shortages."
It is unclear whether the newly seated U.S. House of Representatives will take on such a polarizing issue in the early months of the legislative session. Last year's Republican-controlled House would not approve a revised guest worker program.
"This is the year to make something happen, and we urge our members to get ready to push real immigration reform over the goal line in the coming year," Mr. Guenther said.
This news cannot be more welcomed by fruit and vegetable growers facing a worsening labor shortage.
Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA) are said to be drafting a revised version of the immigration reform bill that passed the Senate last year. According to The New York Times, the bill's drafters are considering blocking funds to build the 700-mile fence along the border with Mexico and removing the Senate-passed bill's provisions that forced many illegal immigrants to return home before being granted legal status.
In the coming weeks, Sens. Larry Craig (R-ID) and Diane Feinstein (D-CA) plan to introduce the bipartisan-supported Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits and Security Act, a pilot program that would secure a steady labor force for agriculture by streamlining the guest worker program and allowing farm workers an opportunity to earn U.S. citizenship.
"There is a window of opportunity in 2007 as both President Bush and the new Democratic leadership in the House and Senate are more aligned on the need for immigration reform than ever before," Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy for the United Fresh Produce Association, told The Produce News.
"We are preparing to renew the lobbying and grassroots push and to continue to keep the media informed of the urgent need for immigration reform in the agricultural sector," said Craig Regelbrugge, senior director of government relations for the American Nursery & Landscape Association.
Because of the hard work during the past year, Mr. Regelbrugge said he was optimistic AgJOBS would move this year.
"Agriculture is in a 'best of all worlds, worst of all worlds' situation," he said, stating that agriculture is in the best position because the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform has established a compelling case for guest worker reform and brokered a delicate compromise for a legislative solution. But "worst of all worlds because we are the one industry that is experiencing actual and worsening labor shortages."
It is unclear whether the newly seated U.S. House of Representatives will take on such a polarizing issue in the early months of the legislative session. Last year's Republican-controlled House would not approve a revised guest worker program.
"This is the year to make something happen, and we urge our members to get ready to push real immigration reform over the goal line in the coming year," Mr. Guenther said.
