Immigration Relief. Elite Dairy Producer Business Conference Las Vegas, NV

Transcription

1 Immigration Relief Elite Dairy Producer Business Conference Las Vegas, NV Craig J. Regelbrugge, Co Chair Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform Mobile: 202/

2 What is ACIR? Coalition of over 300 fruit, vegetable, dairy and livestock, nursery & greenhouse groups Formed in 2001 as single-issue coalition to pursue meaningful, lasting immigration reform

3 Inspiration for Today Winston Churchill 30 November January 1965

4 When You re Going Through Hell Keep Going!

5 Churchill also often said, Got Milk?

6 It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.

7 The Big Picture Labor intensive agriculture is heavily reliant on creatively documented immigrant labor 1989: 7 % of farm workers unauthorized 1998: 52% admitted unauthorized Current estimates approach 75% For dairy nationally, immigrant labor ~ half of workforce H 2A program is only safety net and dairy is virtually excluded

8 We ve Come Full Circle Ag got into this issue in mid 1990 s because of: Recognition of emerging labor force demographics Growing enforcement threats We now face: Even more daunting labor force demographics Enforcement wolf at the door

9 What s Been Tried? Mid 1990 s efforts to reform H 2A temporary and seasonal ag worker program Became partisan as result, lost most Democrats Also lost restrictionist Republicans Pure guest worker bill failed in House in 1996, and would fail now

10 In war, as in life, it is often necessary, when some cherished scheme has failed, to take up the best alternative open, and if so, it is folly not to work for it with all your might.

11 Out of intense complexities intense simplicities emerge Most dairy producers would like to be able to retain current workers in a legal status And they worry about access to future workers, their ability to keep farming, to pass the farm along to the next generation

12 Ergo, AgJOBS Farm employer, worker advocate negotiations produced bipartisan compromise Two part solution: Long term: sweeping H 2A reforms Bridge: earned legalization for experienced farmworkers

13 AgJOBS Agreement reached in 2003 Passed Senate as part of larger bill in 2006 Dairy provisions were improved in 2006 Folded into larger bill that failed in 2007 for reasons bigger than ag In current Congress, reintroduced: H.R.2414, 57 cosponsors S.1038, 21 cosponsors

14 Politics is more dangerous than war, for in war you are only killed once.

15 AgJOBS and Dairy: Best View Around

16 Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.

17 Our Assets Bipartisan AgJOBS agreement and resulting political support position us uniquely We can move as part of a comprehensive bill or narrower incremental measure Solid champions (Feinstein, Putnam, Berman) Support of key leaders in Congress, Admin. Plenty of reasons for Congress to deliver something on the issue

18 And Yet, Uncertainties How will Health Care end? When? What will be next? The Moderate and the Restless The Economy Legislative debate, shifting left

19 Outlook All sources suggest serious effort ahead First quarter 2010 is best window Senate first is most likely Schumer/Graham Comprehensive vs. Incremental

20 Back to that Wolf at the Door Chertoff Raids vs. Napolitano I 9 Audits Other enforcement threats Other developments H 2A rules E Verify for most federal contractors No match Rule rescinded

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22 How Can You Help? Support the ACIR national effort Financially Grassroots, grasstops

23 The maxim "Nothing avails but perfection" may be spelled "Paralysis." Don t be afraid to take on your elected leaders when they promise a solution they cannot deliver

24 Some Key Targets UT: Bennett and Hatch ID: Crapo and Risch OR: Wyden and Merkley MT: Baucus and Tester NE: Nelson and Johanns KS: Brownback and Roberts AZ: Kyl and McCain CO: Udall Others?

25 I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.

26 How Else Can You Help? Mobilize support in your own world Family, workers, friends, suppliers Community, church, civic groups

27 Jobs in the Balance Immigrant dairy workers are nearing half the workforce Eliminating half the immigrant dairy workers would jeopardize 66,331 jobs Removing all would jeopardize nearly 133,000 jobs, the majority held by native born US workers

28 Continuous effort not strength or intelligence is the key to unlocking our potential.

29 And, why I remain hopeful The Americans will always do the right thing once they have tried everything else!

30 Questions? Mobile: 202/