07/30/08 Fixing Immigration

Fixing Immigration Part 3. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. Dan Fazio, Member Services Director for Washington Farm Bureau recently talked to the National Onion Association's annual convention where he outlined a new plan by WFB to help with the immigration troubles in the state. FAZIO: First, workers from other countries can purchase a 3-year, non-immigrant, "Y visa" to come to this country to do agricultural jobs, including jobs in the dairy industry and agricultural processing facilities. Second, workers would pay a fee for the visa and would be subject to a criminal background check. Currently workers are not allowed in processing or the dairy industry. FAZIO: Third, states would have the option to enroll in the pilot program. Farmers who need workers would list the jobs with the state workforce agency. The workforce agency would attempt to fill the farmers' needs with domestic workers. If after 72 hours no domestic workers could be found, the "Y visa" holders would be referred. FAZIO: The "Y visa" holder would need to return to their native country at least 30 days each year. These workers would not be eligible for unemployment and the "Y visa" would be terminated if they were in the U.S. 45 consecutive days without working. Finally, Fazio says the pilot program would sunset after 6 years. The plan will go before voters in January. For more information on the program, contact the Washington Farm Bureau. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.