Farm Bureau welcomes President's immigration initiative

» January 7, 2004 «

California Farm Bureau Federation welcomed President Bush's announcement of immigration-reform proposals today.

"We're encouraged by the president's actions, and look forward to evaluating his proposals in detail," California Farm Bureau President Bill Pauli said. "The president has moved immigration issues to the front burner, and we will work with his administration to achieve meaningful immigration reform."

The president's initiatives include a temporary worker program to match willing foreign workers with willing U.S. employers when no Americans can be found to fill jobs.

"Farm Bureau and other agricultural organizations have worked for years to develop a comprehensive solution to the labor crisis facing farmers who produce fruits, vegetables and other labor-intensive crops," Pauli said. "That effort resulted in historic, bipartisan legislation that is now co-sponsored by half the U.S. Senate and nearly 100 members of the House, evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans.

"Solutions need to be found, for the benefit of immigrants and businesses that have trouble filling jobs, in agriculture and other sectors of the economy," he added. "We welcome the president's call to action on this critical issue."

Contact: Dave Kranz
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

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