03/14/07 An Answer To Immigration

An answer to immigration. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. We've spent a lot of time talking about the immigration issue here in the United States and until a viable solution is firmly in place you can bet we'll keep talking about it. Everyone from the President on down has an angle. BUSH: And we want there to be a rational way for people to come and do jobs Americans aren't doing. To come and try to realize dreams, there's got to be a better system. Washington Senator Patty Murray says there just doesn't seem to be a simple answer. MURRAY: Saying we`re going to through 11 million people out, not knowing all their different circumstances or how we`re even going to find them, prosecute them, pay for that, is simply impossible, too. The people who watch these issues seem to think that perhaps now may be the time for the issue to be resolved with the shift in political power. But even though it's touted as a bi-partisan issue there are some that can't get passed party lines like Ted Kennedy. KENNEDY: We passed a comprehensive approach and then the House of Representatives, had 60 days of hearings at taxpayers` expense, and what do they come up with? Building a fence. But as difficult as the issue seems, officials in Colorado may have an answer. Forget immigration, bring on the inmates. The Colorado Department of Corrections hopes to launch a pilot program, thought to be the first of its kind that would contract with more than a dozen farms to provide inmates who will pick melons, onions and peppers. Perhaps they are on to an idea. Remember the chain gang? It's worth throwing out for conversation around the pickle barrel. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.