Leahy seeks to help Mexican farm workers

[Jean]

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps ... 27001/1009

Leahy seeks to help Mexican farm workers

By Sam Hemingway

February 27, 2007
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., wants to legalize the presence of an estimated 2,000 undocumented Mexican workers employed on dairy farms in Vermont, according to remarks he plans to make Wednesday when the Judiciary Committee he chairs convenes its first 2007 hearing on immigration reform.

"Finding help on the farm is becoming increasingly difficult on hundreds of Vermont farms," Leahy says in a portion of a prepared statement released by his office to The Burlington Free Press on Monday. "Many have turned to migrant workers from Mexico and Central America."

Leahy said the hiring of illegal workers to do jobs most Vermonters no longer want to do is helping preserve dairy farming in the state, but puts the workers and their farmer employers in a difficult position.

"We know there is something wrong with this hodge-podge arrangement, and we need to do better," said Leahy, the senior Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee. "We need to bring order and common sense to an out-of-order system."

Wednesday's hearing is scheduled to take testimony from Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez. Leahy said he plans to press both men to see if the White House is committed to having comprehensive immigration reform passed.

"We're not going to start marking up the bill until the president indicates he is solidly on board with it," Leahy said. "We can get most Democrats to vote for it, but we need to have a sizeable number of Republican votes for it, too."

In the meantime, Leahy said he will work for passage of an Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security bill introduced last month by Sens. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., and Larry Craig, R-Idaho.

Under that bill, 1.5 million illegal immigrants working on farms in the United States would be allowed to apply for a "blue card" permitting them to stay in the country. They would not have to return to their homeland before applying for the card.

To qualify for the card, they would pay an application fee and a $500 fine. They would also have to show they have been employed at the farms for at least 150 days in the past two years, have paid taxes and have no serious criminal record.

The proposed law would allow an applicant's "blue card" to be extended for up to three years, at which time the card holder could apply for a "green card," awarding them permanent residency status.

Leahy said he has introduced a provision in the so-called AgJOBS bill to let dairy workers and sheep and goat herders seek "blue cards." The provision also requires employers to prove they cannot find local people to do the work.

Historically, only foreign workers performing short-term work to help harvest crops -- like apple picking -- are allowed visas to enter the United States legally. Persons doing long-term, year-round farm work -- such as milking cows -- have always been excluded from obtaining legal work visas.

Leahy said he disagreed with critics who argue the "blue card" plan sends the wrong message to Mexican and other immigrants by not punishing them for entering the country illegally.

"How do you round up 12 million people?" he asked, referring to the estimated number of illegal immigrants in the United States. "What are you going to do with their kids, many of whom were born in the states and are here legally? It's very simplistic to say 'Send them home.'"

The AgJOBS bill is similar to a measure that passed the Senate in May as part of immigration reform legislation but failed to make it through the House.

[nittygritty]

Well now Senator Lehay, I would propose you put some of those child predators you are aiding and abetting in the state of Vermont, to work in the farmers fields, maybe then they would not have all the time they needed to abuse, molest and brutally rape your children up there in that Enlightened, state of yours!

[Jean]

Saw in another article that the governor of the state has relatives that hire illegals on their dairy farm too. Money money money as usual.

[Beckyal]

Most of the politicans have either hired illegals or have relatives that hire illegals. You notice that ICE never raids one of the companies that are owned or operator by someone who is related to one of our politicans. For instance the vineyard that is owned by the Speaker of the house would be a good place to start.

[sippy]

Most of the politicans have either hired illegals or have relatives that hire illegals. You notice that ICE never raids one of the companies that are owned or operator by someone who is related to one of our politicans. For instance the vineyard that is owned by the Speaker of the house would be a good place to start.

Becky, good idea! Then they can go to romney's house and raid the landscaping company he uses.
I'm sure ted kennedy's bartender is illegal too so let's get him out along with all the other elected officials who are exploiting cheap illegal labor.

[nittygritty]

You remember the chief of NY, Bernie something, who Bush picked out for homeland security? I thought that man would be a very good head of homeland security, the news leaked out that his Nanny, was an illegal alien, he swore he was not aware of that, but they didn't hire him for the job because of this, how does all these other leaders get away with hiring illegal aliens?

[2ndamendsis]

You remember the chief of NY, Bernie something, who Bush picked out for homeland security? I thought that man would be a very good head of homeland security, the news leaked out that his Nanny, was an illegal alien, he swore he was not aware of that, but they didn't hire him for the job because of this, how does all these other leaders get away with hiring illegal aliens?

NITTY

a small correction if you don't mind .........Bernie was getting indicted on some fraud or similar charges. Had nothing to do with the nanny.
The charges slip my mind right now, but they were very serious.
Not certain but I also think he took a plea deal.

[dlm1968]

I'm sure ted kennedy's bartender is illegal too so let's get him out along with all the other elected officials who are exploiting cheap illegal labor.

Now what American would want to be Kennedy's bartender...you may have found the 1 job that an American would not do.

[had_enuf]

Send Leahy, the illegal Mexican farm workers, cows and all south of the border.

Enough is enough already!

[sippy]

I'm sure ted kennedy's bartender is illegal too so let's get him out along with all the other elected officials who are exploiting cheap illegal labor.

Now what American would want to be Kennedy's bartender...you may have found the 1 job that an American would not do.

Ain't it the truth DLM!!! They couldn't pay me enough to even walk onto his property. I'd have to be carrying a schload of barf bags...