A bipartisan group of senators today is expected to unveil a framework plan to reform U.S. immigration laws. According to the Washington Post, that plan will include granting special consideration to agricultural workers.
While details were few, according to text of that framework plan, “due to the utmost importance in our nation maintaining the safety of its food supply, agricultural workers who commit to the long term stability of our nation's agricultural industries will be treated differently than the rest of the undocumented population because of the role they play in ensuring that Americans have safe and secure agricultural products to sell and consume. These individuals will earn a path to citizenship through a different process under our new agricultural worker program.”
The plan will include the signatures of four Republicans and four Democrats. According to The Post, the framework will provide key points that could allow a bill to be drafted by the end of March. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Senate framework comes just days before President Barack Obama will lay out a similar plan this week in Las Vegas.
AFBF is currently pursuing farm labor reform as a member of the Agriculture Workforce Coalition.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of American Farm Bureau Federation.
