A picture is worth a thousand words: Farm worker posts her “Photos from the Fields” on Facebook to convey support for immigration reform

A picture is worth a thousand words: Farm worker posts her "Photos from the Fields" on Facebook to convey support for immigration reform

U.S. Senate poised to approve immigration reform legislation today

Madera, CA − As soon as Odilia Chavez heard about the “Photos from the Fields” campaign calling for support to the comprehensive immigration reform, she had a picture taken of her laboring in the strawberry fields and uploaded it on Facebook.

Farm workers from around the country have been sharing their ‘Photos from the Fields’ on their social media pages, using the hashtag #FieldFotos, to draw attention to the bill. The “Photos from the Fields” campaign is sponsored by the United Farm Workers of America and United Farm Workers Foundation.

“Many people use Facebook or Twitter to post negative stuff. I think using social media to support immigration reform is an excellent idea, and I’m glad people will know farm workers, too, know about technology and understand its power,” said Chavez in Spanish. The 40-year-old Madera farm worker has a Facebook account.

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the final passage of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, or S. 744. The proposal calls for a roadmap to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the country and includes special agricultural provisions, negotiated by the United Farm Workers, major grower associations, and Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Michael Bennet (D-Co.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). If approved by the Senate, it would mark the first time a significant comprehensive immigration reform bill is approved in Congress since 2006.

Farm workers from across the nation will be holding celebration rallies today at the different UFW offices and urging members of the U.S. House of Representatives to take up the Senate bill. Next week, farm workers will visit their local U.S. representatives, urging them to support the legislation. For more information on how to get involved, visit our website at www.ufw.org or contact our local UFW offices.

To follow or see more “Photos from the Fields” campaign visit the following sites: