Farmers Need Immigration Reform, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Says

Agriculture Secretary Tries To Talk Sense Into Congress
Migrant workers harvest strawberries at a farm March 13, 2013 near Oxnard, California. A mess with no easy fix: American crops going unpicked -- it's backbreaking work Americans won't touch -- and poor migrants in need of work are shying away for fear of being abused. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)
Migrant workers harvest strawberries at a farm March 13, 2013 near Oxnard, California. A mess with no easy fix: American crops going unpicked -- it's backbreaking work Americans won't touch -- and poor migrants in need of work are shying away for fear of being abused. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today made a push for comprehensive immigration reform, saying the nation’s broken immigration system is contributing to labor scarcities that are forcing some farmers to shrink operations and move crop production out of the country.

“History has shown that when you have comprehensive immigration reform, when you have an immigration system that is working, the economy grows, jobs are created and working conditions improve,” Vilsack said in a telephone conference call with reporters.

But “significant shortages of farm workers” exacerbated by the broken immigration system means farmers are not getting their crops harvested, Vilsack said, basing his information on discussions with farmers and farm groups.

Before You Go

The U.S.-Mexico border is violent

6 Misconceptions About The Border

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot