September 25th, 2011 at 12:57 pm » Comments (0)

______________________________________________________________________________

NEW AGRICULTURAL LABOR MARKET REFORM ACT WOULD STABILIZE U.S. FARM WORK FORCE & PROTECT FARMWORKERS

Statement of Farmworker Justice on the Introduction of bill by Congressman Berman

Farmworker Justice welcomes the introduction of the Agricultural Labor Market Reform Act of 2011 and supports its enactment.  We thank Representative Howard Berman for his leadership in support of reasonable, workable and fair immigration reform.

“The Agricultural Labor Market Reform Act of 2011 would offer a meaningful solution to the needs of agricultural employers, farmworkers and the nation,” said Bruce Goldstein., President of Farmworker Justice.

The bill would establish an earned legalization program under which current undocumented farmworkers in the U.S. who meet stringent requirements are given temporary permission to work in agriculture for three to five years and the opportunity to earn immigration status. Immediate family members in the U.S. also would be eligible to apply for immigration status.  “Since more than one-half the seasonal agricultural workers in the U.S. lack authorized immigration status, and the supply of farm labor is threatened by increased immigration enforcement, Congress must reform our broken immigration system.  This bill would help ensure a stable, legal workforce in agriculture, which is good for farmworkers, employers, consumers and the national interest,” said Goldstein..

Read full press statement HERE

September 12th, 2011 at 2:25 pm » Comments (0)

Farmworkers have been fleeing Georgia, since that state enacted its harsh anti-immigrant law in July. This article, though dated, is a glimpse of what the upcoming harvest season will look like in agricultural states that participate in Arizona-style, copy-cat laws. Of course, the ramifications are much greater.  Physical and mental health issues related to the stress can be anticipated as farmworkers migrate to areas where they feel welcome.

 Click on the link below to read the news article:

Convicts or Illegals: Georgia Hunts for Farmworkers As Tough Immigration Law Takes Hold

By Steve Gray, Sunday June 26, 2011

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2079542,00.html

Fieldworkers pick onion bulbs on a Vidalia onion farm in Lyons, Georgia, May 10, 2011.