Broken Immigration System Pt 2
From the Ag Information Network, this is today’s Fruit Grower Report. Since President Trump took office, efforts are underway to deport illegal immigrants, especially those who are here for nefarious reasons like dealing drugs.
But, Save Family Farming Executive Director, Ben Tindall says the many farm workers here who may or may not have the proper paperwork in hand are not the problem …
TINDALL … “I think this is, in many ways, a non-partisan issue or, I guess you could say, a bipartisan issue. I think both sides, whatever party you are a part of or aren’t part of, can agree our immigration system is broken. We need to see some sort of fix. We need to see some sort of action taken.”
But if we continue down this path, Tindall says agriculture will suffer …
TINDALL … “There is a right and a responsible way to do that, and there is a reckless way to do that. And, unfortunately, we have seen a little more of that latter playing out recently and our leaders need to recognize that and see some change.”
But when politics come into play, Tindall says change is never easy …
TINDALL … “Agriculture is not partisan. Everyone has to eat. Our viability and sustainability and security of agriculture is dependent on both sides, working together, finding genuine fixes to ensure that we’re able to continue feeding ourselves, our community, our state, our nation as well as the world.”
Tindall says this is an opportunity for lawmakers to step up and listen to the farmworker’s perspective.
