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Action on immigration reform long overdue

By Frank Priestly, Idaho Farm Bureau president
Friday, January 18, 2008 5:14 PM CST

American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman may have summed up our nation’s immigration situation best this week saying up to $9 billion in agricultural production and the nation’s food security are at risk if immigration laws are not reformed.

“Either we can make it possible for temporary foreign workers to help us grow the food in the U.S. or they will stay in their country and grow food for the U.S.,” he said.

In political circles, this topic is off-limits right now because of the controversy it generates and the current presidential election cycle. But farmers and ranchers don’t enjoy the convenience of putting off difficult tasks because it’s an election year. We’ve been waiting years for a solution to our workforce challenges.

AFBF economists have outlined three major points that American agriculture needs from immigration reform. First, a simplified guest worker program must be developed to allow 500,000 to 750,000 legal migrant and stationary foreign agriculture workers every year. The current H-2A program is burdened with bureaucratic red tape and unrealistic expectations. Second, agriculture needs an effective guest worker wage set in accordance with the prevailing market wage. A lot of farm workers are being courted by higher wages in the construction and hospitality industries. Third, a compromise is needed with labor rights groups to allow a reformed guest worker program to work and to help farms operate.

Here in Idaho we have seen the social burden a large population of illegal immigrants creates. We don’t condone illegal immigration and we certainly don’t think an increased tax burden on legal citizens is justified in order to pay for the health care and many other expenses brought forth by a large population of illegal immigrants. However, we can’t ignore the reality that across this country the farm workforce needs 3 million workers. And with employment alternatives and worker preferences, those jobs will never be filled by legal citizens.

Agriculture may have already lost this fight. The court of public opinion indicates the talk show rhetoric supporting the round �em up and kick �em out option has lots more support than reforming our immigration laws. This rhetoric, coming from people who either don’t understand, or don’t care where their food comes from, has turned this issue into a political tar baby that Congress doesn’t want to touch, especially during an election year.

So where do we go from here? Barring wholesale legislative reform, some of what’s needed can be accomplished through piecemeal changes to the existing federal H-2A guest worker program. What farmers and ranchers would like American citizens to give consideration to is where the majority of your food supply comes from today and where you would like it to come from tomorrow. Without a reliable workforce, our domestic food supply faces an uncertain future.

Frank Priestley is president of the Idaho Farm Bureau.

Comments »

BethD wrote on Mar 14, 2008 10:55 AM:

" To Coward...

Post your name.

Six kids. Includes a set of twins. And they are a blended family. Not that anyone should ever have to apologize for their procreation choices to you - you sound like a liberal. You prefer legislating birth control? Take your level and plumb and move to China.

The problem is - with all your wonderful skills, the appetite for cheap labor outweigh the appetite for straight walls. Ask all your Tancredite-fans if they'd go back and pay an extra $5K or more for their house if it meant you could have a nicer car. The answer is no. Because when it comes to buying a house... everybody wants that bottom dollar. Cold hard fact, mister.

Conversely, I find that Hispanic patients pay without complaining as long as we communicate the expectation up front and treat them well. On the other hand - there are plenty of people running around complaining about their $15 copay and advocating universal health coverage... yeah, like the Europeans got THAT right.

If you can't even post your name, then perhaps you're too tender and cowardly to handle a little truth, and we have enough of your kind running around. Save your contraceptive advice for your wife. "

Timothy wrote on Mar 10, 2008 1:13 PM:

" How much of the house market crisis is due to the thousand of houses that the illegals have bought and they cannot pay because we are running them out of the country?
Hipocrisy is the problem now the illegals are the cause of all our problems!!!

"

To BethD wrote on Mar 9, 2008 10:48 PM:

" 1. Your sister was obviously a bad business person. We've lost the majority of tomatoes grown in this country to NAFTA, not labor shortages. Six kids? Welcome to the 21st century. The world is overpopulated, and we have access to birth control. That is nothing less than irresponsible, and selfish.
2.Shhh, as soon as you say the word "Mexican", when referring to those who are here illegally, you're considered a racist. Just a little PC FYI for ya'. Just because somebody can pound a nail, that in itself doesn't make them a carpenter. As a general contractor, I've yet to see one illegal immigrant worker that claims to be a carpenter, actually possess the skills, knowledge, and experience it takes to actually be a carpenter. Let alone the ability to read plans correctly. That's just my own observation. Sorry, if your walls aren't plumb, don't blame me.
3.Blanket statements based solely on race, are rarely correct. Your tone suggests that you don't like caucasians. If you were actually a physician, or worked in a hospital, and you found yourself not getting payed by illegals more than any other group, you might not be as inclined to such whimsical opinions as you so now avidly voice.

The only immigration reform that this country needs, is a return to law, order, and respect for this nation's history, and future. Sorry, we can't get there by rewarding those who would steal their way into our country, and then demand entitlements that weren't earned. U.S. citizenship is not something to be given away, as a prize for having vocal lobbying groups, or simply by arriving here in large numbers, and giving birth to children on U.S. soil. This issue should NOT be a matter of political party affiliation. It's simply a matter of obey the law, or break the law. Not, change the law to suit the needs of individual business groups that suffer from an addiction to inexpensive labor. Or, pandering to groups in hopes of culling future voters in exchange for citizenship today. Now, quit breeding, and start reading!!! "

BethD wrote on Mar 3, 2008 12:54 PM:

" 1. My sister owned a farm - her husband's third generation operation. They had to give it up because local rednecks would rather lay in the air conditioned housing project drawing food stamps than to show up two days in a row to pick tomoatoes for $10/hr. A family business that couldn't be sustained by her, her husband, and their 6 kids. So keep you lies about greedy farmers and poor little unemployed Ameicans to yourself.

2. If you're losing your carpentry job to Mexicans, do what my sister and her husband had to do when they sold the farm: go back to school - get more education, and live out a different dream. YOU have that option. YOU'RE an American. YOU speak the language... don't you? Have 1/10 th the ambition our forefathers had... for heaven's sake.

3. I've have treated and cared for Hispanic familes that pay readily for their medical care, bring their children in well fed, clean and without reservation. They make sure the medication prescribed is purchased before the Marlboros or 6 pack is. Meanwhile, I have chronically ill white kids whose parents blow smoke in thier face 24/7 and wonder why they cough and have ear infections. They leave it up to day care (grandma) to get/give medications. They have no more interest in their kids' health than they do their own. Apathy is color blind, my friend.

We need immigrtion reform. Then we need an attitude adjustment. We need to think for ourselves. I'm a life-long REPUBLICAN... but for God's sake, Rush Limbaugh doesn't think for me. I'm probably more sober than he is anyway... "

weaver wrote on Mar 1, 2008 10:18 PM:

" Once again, AG doesn't bring anything to the immigration discussion except Globalophobia and a projected 9 billion dollar loss.

AG created the immigration monster with disregard to how illegal labor would dislodge American wage-earners, so why should we care about agricultural losses?

If AG refuses to purchase American labor, we can simply shop elsewhere.

The AGJOBS bill removes housing requirements from the guest worker program -- I'm sure that it's also too dificult for the most prolific food grower in the world to provide meals, shade and water.

If AG were to come to up with a border to border solution -- housing, transportation and healthcare they might gain some ground.

As it stands, dumping underpaid workers into our high cost economy is simply unacceptable... guest workers are in contact with chemicals and pesticides every day, how often are they afforded a shower?

"

Brian Mangione wrote on Feb 25, 2008 2:16 AM:

" Its funny how so called American citizens cannot keep their hands down when asked if any of their ancestors were immigrants. The only true Americans were the Native Americans any other occupiers of the Americas are foreigners. Get your information correct. Immigration is big business and the people already here should understand that businesses. Immigrants keep labor costs low for businesses while keeping productivity constant. American citizens fail to look at the jobs that are outsourced overseas to other companies but feel really happy when they have to deal with customer service reps with poor english. Yet we still buy "made in China" items. Please people wake up and smell the coffee which is also imported. "

Bob wrote on Feb 23, 2008 8:06 PM:

" Dennis is absolutely right, though I think if they couldn't get a job here they would just leave. They couldn't afford to stay here.
As far as the article is concerned, I would much rather see agricultural products raised somewhere else than see the population in America continue to rise. Especially when most of the increas is coming from immigrants.
In the end, though, I think farmers would figure out some other way to raise and harvest crops. The problem now is, with all of this cheap labor, they simply don't have to. "

SPQR_US wrote on Feb 23, 2008 5:34 PM:

" American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman is a traitor and a coward. He obviously hates Americans and deserves our wrath. Hopefully he will be jailed and heavily fined along with the 12% of american farmers who employ illegal alien criminals in a naked attempt to drive legitiamte family farms out of business. Tell the truth Bob, you know what I am saying is correct. Your day of reckoning is at hand. "

Dennis wrote on Feb 15, 2008 11:44 PM:

" This artical is absolutely correct. In 1986 we granted amnest to sereral million illegal immigrants. The Goverment promised to protect the borders so this did not happen again. As with most goverment promises, it turned out to be a lie, and nothing was done. Now we are providing schools, health care, and cheap labor since we have 12 to 20 million people illegally in our country. It is time something was done. BUILD THE FENCE, ENFORCE OUR LAWS, DEPORT ALL ILLEGALS, FINE THERE EMPLOYERS, ROUND THEM UP AND SHIP THEM OUT.
Any questions? "

Richard wrote on Feb 15, 2008 10:40 PM:

" Randy is right! I am also in construction and am experiencing the same thing. Some construction crews are 100% mexicans, no english is spoken on the job. The immigrants need to be brought here, pick the crops and then be taken back to mexico! "

Ryan wrote on Feb 15, 2008 3:16 PM:

" People need to understand that the illigal immigrants are not the problem. They are 99% families who are trying to make a better life for their children. I am white and grew up in a hispanic community. I have friends who were not legal. They came from caring homes. In fact they were better citizens then most Americans. They would share there money, eat together, and pay taxes. Just like you. We all come from immigrated familes to the U.S.A. Unless your Indian. Lets face it... They are part of what makes America great. Please don't be ignorant and think that all your problems will be solved by kicking out the illegal immigrants. "

Randy wrote on Feb 10, 2008 1:13 PM:

" Your farm workers are stealing jobs in construction when they find out that they can make a little better money than what you pay them.. Now I am going broke as a carpenter. Pay a descent wage and Americans will do the work or get some prisoners to do it. You farmers and your Illegals are wrecking our Nation. I will pay more for veggies Gladly "

American Patriotic Worker! wrote on Feb 10, 2008 12:18 PM:

" Amnesty is required, to build the U.S.A., back! "

Ken wrote on Feb 9, 2008 11:40 PM:

" Hospitals can't make it due to free care of runny noses, schools overcrowded, jails overflowing with illegals, no assimulation with spanish speaking, mexican flags flown, having kids without being able to pay for them then they become citizens. Empty houses - no cars on the front lawn
Do I need to say more. We need to stand up for American citizens for a change who pay all the taxes. Write your leaders or quit whining. Also, bring out the border patrol when these marches come about! "

Chris wrote on Feb 9, 2008 11:10 PM:

" Ok there is so much money for helth care education medical bils and so on.
But where is this maney phisicly going to, is it going to pocket of Carlos or Rosa? No.
Maney is colected by American people like doctors, teachers, attorneys and others. Am I wrong? "

lenny wrote on Jan 29, 2008 5:42 PM:

" THE COSTS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION TO THE TAXPAYER DWARF THE COST OF POSSIBLY UNHARVESTED CROPS !$!$! NOT TO MENTION THE FABRIC OF AMERICAN SOCIETY !!! AMERICA WAS NOT INSPIRED BY THIRD WORLD IMMIGRATION AND I DONT RECOMMEND WE START NOW !!! "

Destiny Cruz wrote on Jan 26, 2008 4:18 PM:

" It's sad that this issue has not be fixed and primarily it is due to the political tiptoeing of politicians around the issue. Most of these policicians don't have a sincere opinion themselves, they are just jumping through hoops based on how it will hurt or help them politically. And the American people don't know the issue, they only get swamped with emails complaining illegals are crushing our system and bankrupting America and not paying taxes. What about all the taxes that those who work in factories etc. are paying in on false SS#s? Are they gonna file and get that back? No.. our government gets to keep all that money. Nobody thinks of that though. And those that complain these hispanics specifically are EVERYWHERE! Well everywhere they are they are paying rent, buying homes, getting groceries, electronics, cars... they are funneling tons of money INTO our economy as well. And many of them DO pay their own medical bills, not the government. Ignorance abounds with this hot issue. And that ignorance is because the truth is not being told. These people serve a purpose in this country. Otherwise our government would have FOUND a way to stop them from coming long ago. Get real! Open your eyes! Let them stay, pay a fine, work toward legal status. But give them a chance. "

Susan O. wrote on Jan 24, 2008 1:10 PM:

" No matter how you look at it, this country doesn't solve anything, they created more problems for each individual regardless if you are legal or illegal. Why don't they give this people who already here a chance to a new life so the economy doesn't suffer. I think people who is saying that illegal doesn't pay taxes are BS their is a lot of American and big time people who try to get away of paying taxes as well.

Wake up People!!! Look on the bright side.... "

Bob Bennett wrote on Jan 21, 2008 10:04 PM:

" Agriculture and other industries in America need to get over the concept of sub-prime labor. They either need to pay laborers what their worth, or find a way to do without them.
The way it is now, the taxpayers are picking up the cost for health care, education, and subsistance costs for agriculter's labor. It would be cheaper to pay a few cents more for a tomatoe. "

Chris wrote on Jan 20, 2008 7:07 PM:

" It looks like all of that chaotic immigration movement with all of the raids and everything is going to bring this still great country to self destruction. Lets say you export 12 million people out. What is goin to happen to 12 million living spaces, lets say 3 millin houses accros the country? Shuld they be burned down ? Who is going to pay of that 3 million mortgages? Who? "

Angelo Mancuso wrote on Jan 19, 2008 6:37 PM:

" If you understood the backlog for the ineffectual legal immigration process you would understand why moderate voices are calling for immigration reform.

People and businesses want a legal system that works. We need to compromise on immigration reform.

We need to encourage reasonable and rational debate.

Angelo Mancuso
Director
"American Harvest" documentary - The Real Truth About Immigrant America
http://www.americanharvestmovie.com
"

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