Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-CA) applauded the Senate introduction of  the Agricultural Jobs, Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005 (AGJOBS), authored by Senators Larry Craig (R-WY) and Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA).  Identical legislation will be introduced in the House by Rep. Berman and Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT).

 

"Immigration reform will be one of the most important issues addressed in Congress this year and AGJOBS is an essential part of that reform," said Berman.  "This important legislation addresses two harsh realities:  an intolerably high percentage of the farm workers who plant and harvest our produce are undocumented -- and they are the most poorly paid and poorly treated workers in the United States."

 

"Through grueling effort, the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) and the agricultural industry reached agreement on this legislation," continued Berman.  "It's a "man bites dog" story when longtime adversaries come together to lobby Members of Congress to support a bill.  That's exactly what's happening here."

 

"AGJOBS has two key components," Berman said.  "First, there is an earned adjustment program for undocumented farm workers who would be eligible to apply for temporary immigration status based on their past work experience, and who could adjust to permanent resident status upon satisfaction of the program's prospective agricultural work requirement. Second, AGJOBS includes a reduction in the "red tape" now existing in the H-2A foreign agricultural guestworker program (about which farm employers have long complained), while preserving key labor protections for the guestworkers."

 

"Many of us support comprehensive immigration reform," continued Berman, "but the stars are not quite yet aligned to accomplish that.  AGJOBS' time has come.  It has bipartisan support, it is important to our economy and it enhances homeland security by bringing undocumented workers forward and requiring background checks so that we can know who lives and works within our borders."

 

"For all these reasons, AGJOBS is important and beneficial legislation and I will be working tirelessly with my colleagues for its enactment," said Berman.

 

Contact: Gene Smith 202-225-4695