08/09/06 Immigration reform

The US House and Senate have both passed immigration reform legislation. But both are now doing something unusual, they're conducting more public hearings. PEREZ "We're almost at the finish line. We shouldn't collapse before we cross the finish line." American Farm Bureau's Austin Perez says the Congress would be wise to listen to America's farmers. PEREZ "If the status quo continues then we're going to see more foreign produced put on our shelves. That's not healthy for the consumer, its not healthy for the farmer." Perez says consumers need to be aware of where their fruits and vegetables are grown. Without an ample labor supply there are problems in the fields and orchards. PEREZ "We've got apples in Washington yet to be picked. What it means is that we're not able to produce America's food supplies and that means that we're going to have to rely more and more upon foreign countries for America's produce." Perez says his goal is to have immigration reform that includes border security and increased work place enforcement but there also needs to be an effective guest worker program to supply the labor that's needed for American agriculture. But with the election approaching there are many on Capitol Hill who believe that no immigration legislation will get to the President's desk this year. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott