United Fresh this week joined forces with 636 business organizations representing multiple sectors to send a letter to Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner to request House Republicans, who are the majority in the House of Representatives, move forward on immigration reform this year.
The letter urged the House Republican Conference to use the Standards for Immigration Reform, released by the House Republican leadership in January, as a guide to developing more effective national immigration policies that can be passed by Congress. That document, which laid out principles for immigration reform, specifically cited the needs for a stable agricultural workforce.
Will immigration reform finally occur in 2014?
- No (69%, 18 Votes)
- Maybe (19%, 5 Votes)
- Yes (12%, 3 Votes)
Total Voters: 26
“We sent the letter to make sure the House leadership knows that we are not giving up on getting immigration reform passed. Our industry has already suffered greatly because of outdated, dysfunctional immigration policies. By joining with a broad cross-section of businesses that are affected by these policies, we show that the economic consequences of no action will be huge,” said United’s Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy.
“We will do everything we can to work with the House leadership, and all members of Congress, to formulate policies that meet the needs of the fresh produce industry but are also politically feasible,” Guenther continued. “We understand this is a very sensitive issue for members of Congress, but a lack of action is the one thing our members cannot withstand.”
The letter asserts that if immigration reform is developed and implemented properly it will deter illegal immigration, and protect and complement our U.S. workforce, while at the same time generating greater productivity and economic activity, and respecting family unity.
Source: United Fresh