Immigration Crackdown Hurting Farm Industry

[finehoe]

ICE's stepped-up enforcement efforts since the election have sent chills through the US agriculture industry. Industry-wide, 16% of workers are undocumented, while undocumented immigrants make up 70% of all fieldworkers — the vast majority of them Mexican.

In New York state, 1,080 farms are at risk of shrinking significantly or failing because of enhanced immigration enforcement in the state.

Intensified enforcement has also exacerbated a labor shortage already plaguing the industry in the state.

"If we don't have the ability to have workers on our farms, farms can't survive," Farm Bureau spokesman Steve Ammerman told Crain's.

http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-ice-immigration-crackdown-arresting-migrant-farmworkers-2017-3

[KenFSU]

But the immigrants are taking desirable jobs away from legal Americans, right~?

[finehoe]

Well, why not just round up the Appalachians those who voted for Trump, and send them out to pick strawberries for 60 hours a week at $2/hour?

That'd sure put a dent in the obesity epidemic!

[KenFSU]

^Fits with the week's theme of short-term jobs over long-term protection against climate change.

[BridgeTroll]

Why not start documenting?  As we should have all along... gotta start somewhere.  Looks like strawberries are going up in price...

[finehoe]

If you're going to edit my posts, please try to do so in a way that doesn't change the meaning.  Thanks.

[spuwho]

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average ag farm wage in California is $16.35.

Or about 34k annually.

[finehoe]

Today farm workers don't make anywhere near $16.00 an hour.

In 2008, demographer Rick Mines conducted a survey of 120,000 migrant farm workers in California from indigenous communities in Mexico – Mixtecos, Triquis, Purepechas and others. "One third of the workers earned above the minimum wage, one third reported earning exactly the minimum and one third reported earning below the minimum," he found.

In other words, growers potentially were paying an illegal wage to tens of thousands of farm workers.

http://48hills.org/2015/06/03/farm-workers-in-california-can-barely-survive-in-2015/

[BridgeTroll]

THATS why they should be documented.  Employers can rob and take advantage of... ILLEGALS.  Fix the damn system...

[finehoe]

Fix the damn system...

On June 27, 2013, the Senate approved S.744, known as the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 in a historic 68-to-32 vote. The immigration reform bill was sent to the House, but has not since then been brought to the House floor for debate or an up-or-down vote.

How can it be fixed if House Republicans won't even vote on it?

[BridgeTroll]

Fix the damn system...

On June 27, 2013, the Senate approved S.744, known as the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 in a historic 68-to-32 vote. The immigration reform bill was sent to the House, but has not since then been brought to the House floor for debate or an up-or-down vote.

How can it be fixed if House Republicans won't even vote on it?

Rofl... really? 

[finehoe]

Rofl... really?

Perhaps you know another way?

[spuwho]

Today farm workers don't make anywhere near $16.00 an hour.

In 2008, demographer Rick Mines conducted a survey of 120,000 migrant farm workers in California from indigenous communities in Mexico – Mixtecos, Triquis, Purepechas and others. "One third of the workers earned above the minimum wage, one third reported earning exactly the minimum and one third reported earning below the minimum," he found.

In other words, growers potentially were paying an illegal wage to tens of thousands of farm workers.

http://48hills.org/2015/06/03/farm-workers-in-california-can-barely-survive-in-2015/

There has been an extensive drought in the central valley for 4 straight years. This has created an excess of labor supply which has forced wages down.

There is a belief that with this years  bumper rain and snow event, the ag sector will be recovering.  This will increase demand for workers and wage growth will follow.

[finehoe]

This will increase demand for workers and wage growth will follow.

Especially since there'll be fewer workers to go around.

I wonder how many American's will rush in to fill the gap?

[Snufflee]

Fix the damn system...

On June 27, 2013, the Senate approved S.744, known as the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 in a historic 68-to-32 vote. The immigration reform bill was sent to the House, but has not since then been brought to the House floor for debate or an up-or-down vote.

How can it be fixed if House Republicans won't even vote on it?

Rofl... really?

Nice response... ROFL Really, The fact of the matter was legislation was proposed to do something to "Fix the Damn System" The House refused and continues to refuse to debate the bill hence why President Obama resorted to Executive Orders/Action. So yes ROFL Really.