UFW celebrates passage of first significant immigration reform bill in years, urges Republican-led House to follow suit
Senate passes bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill by 68-32 vote
United Farm Workers President Arturo S. Rodriguez issued the following statement after the Senate, in an overwhelming 68-32 vote, passed 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).
"Today’s vote marks a historic moment for new U.S. immigrants. The passage of the Senate legislation is the first time a comprehensive immigration reform bill is approved in Congress since 2006. S. 744 is a truly bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill that calls for a roadmap to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the country. We urge members of the U.S. House of Representatives to not delay any longer and take up the Senate bill.
The comprehensive immigration reform proposal, which includes 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.
Most Americans understand and appreciate the contributions that farm workers make to our economy and their vital role in ensuring food safety in our country. The Senate bill and its farm worker provisions will help improve working conditions and job opportunities for farm workers. Farm workers will be able to reunite with their families and work without fear of getting deported.
The Senate vote is our first victory, but we still have a long way to go in achieving a new immigration process for all the men, women and children who just want to actively participate as full members of our society. The UFW vows to remain actively involved in working with President Obama, our allies in Congress and the immigrant rights community to enact a law this year." − UFW President Arturo S. Rodriguez.
‘Con La Union de Campesinos Tendremos Papeles'(With the United Farm Workers we will get our papers) campaign: Farm workers stepped up efforts with senators in early June. This week, farm workers around the country shared ‘Photos from the Fields’ on their social media pages, using the hashtag #fieldfotos. The goal was to draw attention to pass the immigration reform bill. Tonight, farm workers will celebrate at UFW field offices throughout the country. Next week, they will visit their local U.S. representatives, urging them to support the legislation. To get involved visit our website at www.ufw.org or call a UFW office in your area.
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