MAITLAND, Fla. (June 28, 2013) – The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association applauded the U.S. Senate for its bipartisan 68-32 vote to approve the most sweeping revision to U.S. immigration policy since the mid-1980s. The landmark measure includes key provisions that address agriculture’s need for a legal, stable workforce.
“With its vote today, the Senate set the stage for meaningful immigration reform that ultimately will keep nutritious food on Americans’ tables produced on American farms,” Stuart said. “We’re a step closer to being assured of a reliable, skilled workforce to plant and harvest our crops.”
FFVA thanks the senators involved in developing the landmark bill, especially Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who has championed an approach that will accomplish long-needed reform while preserving farmers’ ability to continue providing nutritious, abundant and safe food for Americans.
S. 744 includes a component for agricultural workers that is based on an agreement reached between the Agriculture Workforce Coalition and the United Farm Workers. FFVA is a founding member of the coalition.
Stuart and Labor Relations Director Mike Carlton have represented Florida growers for months as part of the AWC to hammer out a viable program for agricultural employers that will ensure access to the workers they need.
The legislation includes a Blue Card program for experienced farm workers that would allow currently undocumented workers to secure legal status by meeting certain conditions. It also establishes an important agricultural worker visa program to replace the current H-2A program. The visa program would have two options: a portable, at-will visa allowing workers to move among employers as the opportunity arises, and a contract-based visa program. Both would be administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“Although the Senate vote is encouraging, much work remains to be done in the House of Representatives,” Stuart said.
FFVA is calling on its members to press their representatives to support reform in the House. Legislators will be in their districts next week for the July Fourth break – an opportune time for constituents to call and urge them to support reform that will allow farmers to continue to grow and harvest crops.
“This will involve a monumental effort for Florida to be talking to our legislators,” Stuart said. “It will require an effort from all of us, and we’re going to mobilize the membership — as will all Florida agricultural organizations.”
About FFVA: The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is the state’s leading full-service specialty crop organization, serving the state’s grower-shipper community since 1943. FFVA represents a broad range of crops, including vegetables, citrus, tropical fruit, berries, sod, sugar cane and tree crops.