Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined United Farm Workers president Arturo Rodriguez and Nisei Farmers League President Manuel Cunha on a conference call Monday to discuss the importance of commonsense immigration reform for California’s agriculture economy and rural communities.

“There’s no more important state to agriculture than the state of California,” said Vilsack. “It is a farm economy that is very much dependent upon farm workers.” He pointed out that there are over 81,000 farms in California that sell nearly $34 billion in agricultural products.

“Immigration reform is not only just good for the state of California and American agriculture, it’s the right thing to do for the country,” Vilsack added, urging the House of Representatives to take action. “The delay that’s taken place for now over a year since the Senate passed comprehensive immigration reform has created some uncertainty and instability in American agriculture.”

Rodriquez specifically called out Majority Whip Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). “If Congressman McCarthy does not want to vote for immigration, then he needs to let the rest of the members of the San Joaquin valley and the House of Representatives have a chance to vote on immigration legislation.”

Cunha highlighted the dangerous activities of farm worker trafficking cartels. “If the House members do not act within the next couple of months, that means they are going to allow the cartel to increase the trafficking going on by victimizing these people,” said Cunha.