Ag Lawmakers Look at Immigration Reform

As lawmakers in the House of Representatives were once again on the floor of the House debating the spending bill and the highly charged issue of immigration reform that was holding up the bill, Agr Secretary Sonny Purdue was talking with the House Ag Committee saying so far, not much of the immigration debate has touched on the need for a stable work force on the nation's farms.

"I would love to see some sort of transition environment where we could recognize that and move toward a legal work force," Purdue said.

He said the current H2A program which was designed to help farmers get the workers they need is too complex, and doesn't work as intended. Many farmers have finally abandoned the program.

"That only contributes to the perpetuation of the non-legal workforce that we have in America, and we'd like to see that resolved."

He also said he's been talking to the Department of Homeland Security, assuring them that the criminals they're looking for are not on U.S. farms.  Purdue said there is a shortage of workers for farms in many areas, and as farmers work on immigration reform, it's one of the issues he would like to see legislators address.