Immigration Reform is Another Topic to be Dealt With
Push for immigration reform now underway in Washington.
Compiled by staff
Published: Mar 25, 2010
There's never a lull in legislative activity in Washington, D.C. – not even after this week's historic health care vote. This week, immigration reform is on the table, in the halls of Congress, even in the streets.
Thousands of immigrants' rights advocates gathered at the U.S. Capitol to urge Congress and the Obama Administration to pass immigration reform. According to the Washington Post, the rally marked the largest showing since 2006.
Specialty crop and general agriculture groups also are on Capitol Hill urging Congress to take the unique needs of agriculture into consideration. The small business and seasonal worker exemptions included in the Senate bill from December appear to be in this final package, according to U.S. Apple Association officials.
These provisions exempt businesses with up to 50 employees and don't count seasonal workers toward that threshold. However, these exemptions may not go far enough and the legislation as proposed may create new burdens for agriculture, reports Todd Hultquist, communications director of Virginia-based U.S. Apple.
Anticipating the push . . .
In anticipation of the march, Senators Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., announced the first details of their plan for comprehensive immigration reform which includes border security, a plan for temporary workers and a "tough but fair" legalization process. Schumer, a long time cosponsor and supporter of AgJOBS, has committed to including the provisions of AgJOBS in the legislation. Earlier this month, Senator Richard Lugar, R-Ind., and Representative Bill Owens, D-N.Y., added their names to the AgJOBS co-sponsor list.
So now the lobbying crunch begins. And, member organizations of the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform will be pressing hard for passage of passage of this critical legislation.
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