Immigration reform was front and center on Capitol Hill this week as Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) introduced the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP). Included in the bill is language from the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act (AgJOBS), which would set a clear standard for the legalization of migrant farm workers in the United States.

The legislation's introduction was met with praise from United Fresh President Tom Stenzel.

"United Fresh applauds the efforts of Rep. Gutierrez and his colleagues in the House in introducing CIR-ASAP and we are particularly gratified to see inclusion of the AgJOBS legislation, which is broadly supported as a balanced, comprehensive solution for our nation’s agricultural labor crisis."

"Agricultural employers have been adversely affected by targeted immigration enforcement by state and federal authorities," Stenzel said. "Additionally, the federal government has repeatedly modified regulations for temporary worker programs, causing significant confusion and economic harm to farmers and other employers across the U.S. Many of these issues would be eliminated if AgJOBS were passed, providing a clear set of rules for agricultural employers to follow.  AgJOBS can help ensure access to a stable and sufficient workforce for American agriculture, while providing the necessary security that our country demands." 

For more information on United's work on immigration reform, please contact Kam Quarles, United Fresh vice president of government relations and legislative affairs at 202-303-3400 ext. 427.