New ag immigration coalition has met with White House, Stallman says
January 13, 2013 | 05:21 PM
NASHVILLE — A new agriculture immigration coalition announced Friday has already met with White House officials and has a better chance of developing a proposal that can get through Congress than previous immigration efforts, American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said here today.
“We are part of a broad coalition of groups united and committed to crafting a labor plan one that gets us beyond the shortcomings of past AgJOBS proposals and past the serious limitations of the current H-2A temporary agricultural worker program,” Stallman said in his annual address to the membership.
“AgJOBS” refers to the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security acts introduced in both the House and the Senate in 2009, but never enacted, that intended to improve the farm employment situation for aliens. H-2A visas allow foreign workers entry into the country for temporary or seasonal agricultural work.
The new proposal includes both a program for labor by contract that could be used by employers in need of seasonal employees and an “at will” employment program that could be used by dairy farmers who need year-round employees, Stallman told reporters at a news conference.
He also said that it would replace the H-2A program, or that there could be a transition period to the new program.
“This plan establishes a visa program that would give both employers and employees stability and flexibility into the future while recognizing the current workforce that has contributed to our farms and communities,” Stallman said.
He told reporters the White House meeting had taken place within the last two weeks, but he did not provide details, referring them to the Agriculture Workforce Coalition website for details.
Members of the coalition announced its formation on Friday.
The Farmworker Justice Fund, which has been a part of previous immigration efforts but is not listed as a member of the new coalition, did not return an email seeking comment on Friday.
The members are:
The Agricultural Coalition for Immigration Reform is also listed as a coalition partner.
“We are part of a broad coalition of groups united and committed to crafting a labor plan one that gets us beyond the shortcomings of past AgJOBS proposals and past the serious limitations of the current H-2A temporary agricultural worker program,” Stallman said in his annual address to the membership.
“AgJOBS” refers to the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security acts introduced in both the House and the Senate in 2009, but never enacted, that intended to improve the farm employment situation for aliens. H-2A visas allow foreign workers entry into the country for temporary or seasonal agricultural work.
The new proposal includes both a program for labor by contract that could be used by employers in need of seasonal employees and an “at will” employment program that could be used by dairy farmers who need year-round employees, Stallman told reporters at a news conference.
He also said that it would replace the H-2A program, or that there could be a transition period to the new program.
“This plan establishes a visa program that would give both employers and employees stability and flexibility into the future while recognizing the current workforce that has contributed to our farms and communities,” Stallman said.
He told reporters the White House meeting had taken place within the last two weeks, but he did not provide details, referring them to the Agriculture Workforce Coalition website for details.
Members of the coalition announced its formation on Friday.
The Farmworker Justice Fund, which has been a part of previous immigration efforts but is not listed as a member of the new coalition, did not return an email seeking comment on Friday.
The members are:
- American Farm Bureau Federation
- American Nursery & Landscape Association
- Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
- National Council of Agricultural Employers
- National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
- National Milk Producers Federation
- USA Farmers
- U.S. Apple Association
- United Fresh Produce Association
- Western Growers Association
- Western United Dairymen
The Agricultural Coalition for Immigration Reform is also listed as a coalition partner.
