WASHINGTON -- “The Senate today passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill that addresses important issues for farmers and ranchers. We commend the Senate for taking this important step.
“The bill includes significant provisions supported by Farm Bureau and reflected in the policy approved by our delegates earlier this year. Most notably, it seeks to ensure that farmers and ranchers will have the labor they need to harvest the nation’s crops and put food on America’s table.
“Farm Bureau supports tighter borders and tougher sanctions on those who knowingly hire illegal aliens. But such provisions must be coupled with a modern, workable H-2a program as well as a transition program that provides us farm labor while the new H-2a program is implemented
“Without comprehensive immigration reform, U.S. agriculture runs the risk of losing between $5 billion and $9 billion per year in lost fruit and vegetable production. Net farm income could also be depressed by up to $5 billion per year. That is why it is imperative that any effort to address the illegal immigration problem respect the needs of U.S. agriculture.
“The Senate bill seeks to embody all these elements and provides an excellent starting point for serious negotiations in a conference with the House. We will remain engaged in the process to ensure that the final bill reflects as closely as possible the priorities of our members.”
