Agriculture Workforce Coalition and UFW Reach Immigration Reform Agreement

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Apr 12, 2013, 08:23 ET

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from the Western Growers Association: Western Growers applauds the agreement today on immigration reform reached by the Agriculture Workforce Coalition, the United Farm Workers (UFW) and key Senators engaged in the process. Western Growers is a member of the AWC, an organization working toward a viable solution for America's farmers and ranchers to have access to a legal workforce now and in the future. The framework and objectives of this agreement represent a major step toward ensuring that, said WG President and CEO Tom Nassif.

Nassif, who was in direct negotiations with the UFW over the weekend and through Friday said, "The agreement the Ag Workforce Coalition was able to negotiate with the UFW is a crucial step in solving our immigration crisis and securing a stable and legal workforce in the years to come. Over the past year the agriculture community was able to come together in a historically broad coalition. The force of agricultural producers and worker representatives coming together on a framework will play a significant role in achieving immigration reform this year."

Nassif thanked the Senators involved in this effort. "For years, Senator Feinstein has been tireless in her work to achieve solutions for the immigration crisis facing agriculture," Nassif said. "We commend her for that commitment to our industry. Senator Rubio joined the effort to find a solution last year and has been an integral part in achieving a compromise that both meets needs of agriculture producers and will garner support of Republicans in Congress. Additionally, the more recent participation by Senators Hatch and Bennet has been integral in achieving agreement."

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SOURCE Western Growers Association