Farmers: Immigration laws cause poor harvest

Posted: Oct 04, 2011 8:33 PM EDT Updated: Oct 04, 2011 8:33 PM EDT

Farmers went before Congress tuesday, pleading for protection from new state immigration laws that they say are scaring off migrant workers who should be harvesting crops for them right now.

The impasse over federal immigration reform was summed up when Senator John Cornyn of Texas explained why 18 states are adopting their own immigration laws.

"The states are acting because they look at Washington and see inaction," Cornyn said.

Some farmers are now saying those new, tougher state laws are scaring away migrant workers they need to do the work most Americans won't do.


"Interested Americans only wanted air conditioned positions and refused to work outside," said Georgia farmer Connie Horner.

Horner is one of hundreds of Georgia farmers whose crops rotted in the field because the mostly illegal workforce was scared off by the state's new immigration law.

"I need legal, experienced season workers to maintain my farm and harvest food that helps feed Americans. I want to hire legal workers," she said.

Horner and others in agriculture said if farm labor isn't imported there is only one alternative.

"With less domestic production, more food will have to be imported," said the Western Growers Association's Tom Nassif.

There was positive response to a proposal of a fix that Senator Dianne Feinstein of California says offers neither amnesty nor citizenship for illegal immigrant farm workers, but a way to get legal.

"What it will provide is a 'Blue Card' to an agricultural worker who has met certain criteria to be able to remain in the country with his family," Feinstein explained.

She plans to introduce the legislation next week.

It would expire in five years to give Congress more time for broader immigration reform.

A study released Tuesday shows Georgia's economy is projected to shrink by nearly $400 million and the state could lose $3,200 jobs as a result of farm labor shortages this year.

Video at site
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/15618121/201 ... or-harvest