VASCM: Immigration Reform Legislation Provides Consideration for Ag Workers

[Mary Lindsay, Muns Vineyard]

John Aguirre, the President of the California Assn. of Winegrape Growers 
(CAWG) just sent this message about the framework for immigration reform 
legislation currently being drafted in Congress. Since this issue has 
been a concern for vineyards throughout the state I thought I would 
forward it on.

Mary Lindsay

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CA Regional Winegrower Associations:

Many of you may have seen this information already, but if you haven't I 
wanted to share with you the latest out of Washington, DC regarding 
prospects for passage of immigration reform legislation.

A bipartisan group of eight U.S. Senators reached agreement on a 
framework for immigration reform legislation. The group of eight 
consists of Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY), John McCain (R-AZ), Richard 
Durbin (D-IL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Marco 
Rubio (R- FL), Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ). The 
expectation is legislation will be drafted by the end of March. The 
framework is attached.

Key principles agreed to in the framework document include:

  * Provide a "tough but fair" path to citizenship for unauthorized
    immigrants currently living in the United States, "contingent upon
    securing our borders."
  * Ensure legal immigration system is consistent with our economic
    goals and strengthens American families.
  * Create and implement an effective employment e-verification system
    to prevent the hiring of unauthorized workers.
  * Establish an improved guest worker program.

Agriculture appears well positioned and the framework document gives 
special consideration to the needs of agriculture. The following 
specific statements in the framework document address agriculture:

  * ". . .agricultural workers who commit to the long term stability of
    our nation's agricultural industries will be treated differently
    than the rest of the undocumented population . . . These individuals
    will earn a path to citizenship through a different process under
    our new agricultural worker program."
  * "Create a workable program to meet the needs of America's
    agricultural industry, including dairy to find agricultural workers
    when American workers are not available to fill open positions."

Tomorrow, the President will be in Las Vegas delivering a speech where 
he intends to outline his position on immigration reform. Looks like we 
may really see a resolution to the issue this year.

John

*John Aguirre**|* *California Association of Winegrape Growers**|*President

1325 J Street, Suite 1560*|*Sacramento, CA 95814
916 379 8995 *|* 1 800 241 1800 *|* www.cawg.org <http://www.cawg.org/> *|*