Perdue: Ag Labor Must Be Part of Immigration Conversation

Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue said labor is always among the top three issues he hears about from farmers across the country.  He says the USDA is are hopeful that some sort of legal, agricultural workforce, can be included in immigration debate.  At an event, organized by the Wall Street Journal, Perdue commented on Congressman Bob Goodlatt's proposed legislation that caps the number of new guest workers at 500,000.

"Probably not an adequate number, but it's a start. And, we've been supportive of the Goodlatte bill, and frankly, we were more enthusiastic about the original bill that Chairman Goodlatte had."

Perdue added he understands  that the current proposal does not meet the needs of some farmers.

"And we have heard them loudly and clearly and we don't disagree with that. Although, we've got to start somewhere, and the fact that I don't know that I don't think they want to continue to use an illegal workforce, which is currently occurring out there in many today."

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