Thread: Calif now setting up for their own ag jobs guestworkers

They are really trying to stick it to us

By Jennie Rodriguez
Record Staff Writer
February 19, 2008 11:57 AM

STOCKTON - Proposed revisions to the existing H-2A guest worker program, which will make it easier for farmers to recruit foreign workers, have sparked criticism among local migrant worker advocates while offering hope to local farmers.

The action is part of the Bush administration's 26-step plan to solve the immigration issue following Congress' failure to pass immigration legislation last year.

"It's unfortunate that the president has to resort to piecemealing because we were unable to pass comprehensive immigration reform," said Jose Rodriguez, executive director of El Concilio, a multiservice organization that provides immigration assistance.
Public meeting

The American Friends Service Committee and Proyecto Voz will hold a meeting for anyone with concerns about the H-2A guest worker program. The meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Mexican Community Center, 609 S. Lincoln St., Stockton.

Changes to the program include lowering the wages of participating workers from $9.72 per hour to at least the state minimum wage, which is $8 per hour in California. Inspection deadlines foremployer-provided housing would be extended - in some cases, until workers have already arrived. The program also would expand into other industries besides agriculture.

California ranks eighth in the nation among states with the most employers using the program. The Department of Labor, which runs the program, certified 282 out of 295 requests for using the program from California employers during fiscal year 2007. At least one employer was from San Joaquin County. The number of H-2A workers used in California during the 2007 fiscal year was 3,098, up from 2,292 in 2006.

A 45-day comment period is under way for anyone to voice opinions before the Labor Department approves the amendments.

Public hearings in Stockton, where concerns, testimonials and complaints will be recorded, will be held at the Mexican Community Center. They are being organized by Luis Magaña, an activist with Proyecto Voz (Project Voice) and the American Friends Service Committee.

The national committee hasn't announced its stance on the proposal, but Magaña doesn't believe the group will support it, because migrant workers already living in the United States will be excluded from participating. That, Magaña said, is unfair to domestic workers, who pay taxes and have already established their lives here.

Advocates also argue that the decreased employer requirements are a step backward for the program initially intended to protect workers.

"Our guest workers are already some of the most vulnerable people to exploitation," said Eric Nicholson, international director of the guest worker program for United Farm Workers, who is based in Tacoma, Wash. "These guys are so scared of speaking out."

Immigrant laborers are frequently fired, evicted from migrant camps and reported to Homeland Security for complaining to employers, Nicholson said. The H-2A program will not allow a path to U.S. residency, another point advocates condemn.

"They basically want people to work here and go back, without hope of becoming legal or being able to bring their famlies," Rodriguez, of El Concilio, said. "I don't think this method is the way to go about it."

But the idea is still a step closer to immigration reform, Rodriguez said.

The administration's plan also is a step closer to establishing a consistent work force in agriculture, an industry that has been experiencing a labor shortage over the past few years, said Bruce Blodgett, executive director of San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation. Blodgett said most local farmers aren't involved in the guest worker program because of its cumbersome requirements.

"It's positive, but it certainly doesn't solve our problem," Blodgett said.

This year, the slumping economy has brought back to the county a surplus of agriculture workers who had previously moved on to other industries. While labor supply is abundant this year, Blodgett said, once the economy begins picking up, workers will most likely retreat to other industries.

What most worker advocates and the Farm Bureau really want is reform. The groups are backing AgJOBS, pending legislation that will implement a guest worker program that includes laborers already living in the U.S. and that offers a path to permanent U.S. residency.

"A long-term solution is what we really need," Blodgett said.

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ ... /802190321

The administration's plan also is a step closer to establishing a consistent work force in agriculture, an industry that has been experiencing a labor shortage over the past few years, said Bruce Blodgett, executive director of San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation. Blodgett said most local farmers aren't involved in the guest worker program because of its cumbersome requirements.

"It's positive, but it certainly doesn't solve our problem," Blodgett said.

This year, the slumping economy has brought back to the county a surplus of agriculture workers who had previously moved on to other industries. While labor supply is abundant this year, Blodgett said, once the economy begins picking up, workers will most likely retreat to other industries.

What most worker advocates and the Farm Bureau really want is reform. The groups are backing AgJOBS, pending legislation that will implement a guest worker program that includes laborers already living in the U.S. and that offers a path to permanent U.S. residency.

They have a SURPLUS of agriculture workers.

The groups are backing AgJOBS, pending legislation that will implement a guest worker program that includes laborers already living in the U.S. and that offers a path to permanent U.S. residency.

Do NOT reward people who are illegally here.
The answer to the guest worker program is a big NO.

Our current President is a horrible person. He really makes me ill. There is no way we should be allowing more illegals into this country. We need to fight this!

First, ARIZONA, NOW California?! WHAT is GOING ON! ALL that any GUEST worker program will do is ENSURE that the PIPELINE to ILLEGAL alien labor stays OPEN! NO GUEST WORKER programs PERIOD!

Originally Posted by usanevada

that offers a path to permanent U.S. residency.

Okay, lets say these illegals get a permanent residency. Once legal, they won't want those jobs anymore and get a better paying one. So the farmers will whine once again, and they will bring in MORE illegals for the work. Then they will leave. It will go on and on. And who gets hurt in the end? The American citizen. But who cares, right?

The states cannot write their own immigration laws , they wouldn't stand up for 2 seconds in court

Thats why the states are writing laws that go after the employers rather than the illegals themselves

Originally Posted by joazinha

First, ARIZONA, NOW California?! WHAT is GOING ON! ALL that any GUEST worker program will do is ENSURE that the PIPELINE to ILLEGAL alien labor stays OPEN! NO GUEST WORKER programs PERIOD!

I told you. Arizonia wants their "own" temporary worker program excluded to Mexican men only. Now California wants a temporary worker program. WHO IS NEXT. IF ALL THE STATES GO THIS ROUTE, THE END RESULT IS THE SAME OLD THING - IT IT ANOTHER MASSIVE AMNESTY- BUT JUST BROKEN DOWN INTO STATES.

The states cannot enact their own guestworker programs or
any other immigration programs

It would be thrown out by the courts in a second

That is why states going after illegals now have to target
employers and loitering laws and other things , they
cannot do anything to regulate immigration

They will fail.

Read the article again, CA is not trying to pass a guest worker law, they are simply having hearing on proposed changes to the current federal guest worker program.