Thread: VT: Immigrant farm labor under the gun

http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... 70370/1002

Immigrant farm labor under the gun
Montpelier forum addresses growing crackdown
October 27, 2006

By Patrick Joy Times Argus Staff



Patrick Giantonio of Vermont Refugee Assitance talks about immigration issues at a forum in Montpelier Thursday.

MONTPELIER — More than 50 percent of Vermont's dairy farms are relying on undocumented workers to survive, panelists at an immigration forum in Montpelier said Thursday.

But that dependence on undocumented workers in a key sector of Vermont's economy faces a threat as federal and local law enforcement officer are stepping up their efforts to locate, detain and deport the mostly Mexican nationals, panelists said.

The forum, sponsored by The Central Vermont Immigration Task Force, brought together human rights and refugee advocates to discuss what they say is a growing crackdown on immigrants, despite their essential place in Vermont's economy. The task force is part of the Central Vermont Anti-Racism Study Circles.

The panelists explained what they see as tightening laws and smaller windows of opportunity for undocumented workers and refugees coming to Vermont and complained that racial discrimination and profiling are leading to unfair treatment.

They said dairy farms face a tight labor market and need the immigrants to survive.

"Fifty to 75 percent of these farms are operating with the help of undocumented workers," said Cheryl Mitchell of the Addison County Farm Workers Coalition, which advocates for undocumented farm workers in that area. "If they can't have access to these workers many of the farms will have to close."

Mitchell's claims underline a national crisis in immigration policy. President Bush on Thursday authorized a 700-mile-long fence on the border with Mexico, but proposed immigration reforms earlier this year that would have allowed some undocumented workers to remain in the country and work towards citizenship. Those reforms were never implemented by Congress.

Some residents attending the forum said they know undocumented farm workers who are "prisoners" on farms, too frightened to leave the confines of private property for fear they will be picked up by police, detained and deported. Mitchell told the story of one immigrant who inadvertently called 911 while attempting to call home to Mexico. The dispatcher did not speak Spanish and police were dispatched to the address where they eventually detained and arrested the man.

Panelist Hippolito Ramirez, an undocumented Mexican worker, said he is awaiting deportation hearings after police "grabbed me and took me away for no reason."

"It is getting harder and harder," he said through a translator. "They just take you away and send you to jail."

Some audience members, however, asked how many immigrants the United States could handle and whether the already steady flow of immigrants posed a threat to the environment as the population grew quickly.

"What is the number (of immigrants) that will allow us to balance the needs" of immigrants with those of society, asked Worcester's Mark Powell. "I don't know how we can have it both ways."

Robert Appel said tightening the border is not the answer.

"I'm not convinced that tightening the border will make us any safer or healthier," he said. "How does the construction of 700 miles of fence affect the environment?"

Ramirez said he did not come to America to be a burden on the system or the environment.

"I didn't come here to take," he said through a translator. "I came here to contribute to the economy as best I can."

Ramirez's deportation hearing is scheduled for Nov. 1.

"Fifty to 75 percent of these farms are operating with the help of undocumented workers," said Cheryl Mitchell of the Addison County Farm Workers Coalition, which advocates for undocumented farm workers in that area. "If they can't have access to these workers many of the farms will have to close."

Wow, I'd say Cheryl Mitchell just snitched out a bus full of illegal immigrants. ICE get those buses rolling!

Not only are the illegal immigrants getting bold, so are their supporters. Can you believe the lady just admitted that 75% of the diary farms in her area are operating with illegal labor?

Originally Posted by MW

"Fifty to 75 percent of these farms are operating with the help of undocumented workers," said Cheryl Mitchell of the Addison County Farm Workers Coalition, which advocates for undocumented farm workers in that area. "If they can't have access to these workers many of the farms will have to close."

Wow, I'd say Cheryl Mitchell just snitched out a bus full of illegal immigrants. ICE get those buses rolling!

Not only are the illegal immigrants getting bold, so are their supporters. Can you believe the lady just admitted that 75% of the diary farms in her area are operating with illegal labor?

Yes, I can believe it. They've "come out of the shadows".

Ice can pick up Hippolito Ramirez, an undocumented Mexican worker, first. Maybe he can lead them to the rest. Of course they'll need to take a translator.

I believe milk's $4.69 a gallon here now. How much would it go up if these dairies hired legal workers? 10 cents? I'm willing to pay.

Herd 'em up & move 'em out.