Fresno, CA—Local United Farm Workers Foundation organizers and members will gather at 12 noon today to herald introduction in Washington, D.C. of historic comprehensive immigration reform legislation and comment on its agricultural provisions that the UFW negotiated with national grower organizers.
The comprehensive immigration reform proposal — including its agricultural provisions negotiated by the United Farm Workers and major grower associations — fulfills the urgent need for an earned legalization program that enables undocumented farm workers who are the backbone of the nation’s agricultural industry to swiftly obtain legal immigration status. It will also stabilize the farm labor workforce through incentives for immigrants to continue working in U.S. agriculture.
“We believe the comprehensive bill and its compromise farm worker provisions will help improve working conditions and job opportunities for farm workers. We will work with President Obama, our allies in Congress and the immigrant rights community to enact a law this year. The compromise agricultural provisions should boost support for reform,” said UFW President and UFW Foundation Board Chair, Arturo S. Rodriguez.
The comprehensive measure would allow many undocumented farm workers to earn legal status by continuing to work in agriculture as well as offer the same protections to their immediate family members. It would also replace the existing H-2A agricultural guest worker program with a fresh visa program with important new protections for farm workers.
Executive Director of the UFW Foundation, Diana Tellefson-Torres emphasized, "It is important for our community to note that this is not a law that has passed, it is a bill. We encourage people to call our offices, attend our Community Forums, and get informed about the steps they can take now to prepare for immigration reform."
Who: Arturo S. Rodriguez, UFW President; Richard Gorman, UFW Foundation BIA Accredited Representative, local UFWF members, faith, students and families.
What: Heralding introduction in Washington, D.C. of landmark comprehensive immigration reform legislation and commenting on its farm worker provisions.
When: 12 noon, Thursday, April 18, 2013.
Where: UFW Foundation – 2409 Merced St. Suite 103 Fresno, CA 93721