06/25/07 Supporting Immigration

Supporting immigration. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. With the immigration issue up in the air with the politicians, is there anything that we can do  right now to help? According to the folks at US Apple, yes there is. COATES: We've got to have as many people as possible contact their Senators. Now is the time to act. That's Diane Coates, Director of Public Affairs with U.S. Apple Association. They have devoted space of their website to informing the public about the immigration issue. COATES: The immigration issue is the number one issue for our growers and unless we can get a comprehensive bill passed through Congress this year that includes the provisions like those in the AgJobs bill that would really ensure that we have a reliable, legal workforce many of our growers are concerned that they could go out of business. Even though US Apple has taken up the banner on this issue, it's not strictly an ag issue. COATES: Hotels, tourism industries in general but then it also has impacts on things like the local school district when there is a raid. Portland schools recently saw a drop in student attendance after a raid 2 weeks ago. Coates urges everyone to visit their website. COATES: www.usapple.org under our keep agriculture working section where people can go in and they can use a letter we have drafted and make changes to it if they like or just use it as is, basically just asking their Senators to do what I just said. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.