Indiana Farm Bureau members have clearly supported through policy that “We believe it is important to maintain a legal guest worker population for agriculture” and that “immigration issues should be handled on the federal and not state level.”
That is why we are pleased that the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has passed a balanced immigration reform bill that includes a fair and workable farm labor provision that sets the stage for Senate action beginning next month.
The success of many Indiana farms and processors depends on the guest workers who show up every day and toil in partnership with Hoosier farm families to tend our crops and livestock. We believe this bill will help ensure an adequate supply of guest farm labor.
As important, the committee language provides an increased level of surveillance for high-risk areas along our national borders. We know that one of the best ways to improve border security is to create a legal, workable way for farm workers to enter our country.
This is turning out to be a significant year for agriculture policy, and Indiana Farm Bureau will continue to represent Indiana farmers on the important federal efforts to win farm labor reform, craft and pass a new farm bill and upgrade our nation’s waterway shipping system.
Source: Indiana Farm Bureau