Speech #990081483

Current production is valued at nearly $23 billion. This industry is also obviously important to the consumers in America who have become accustomed to high quality fresh fruits and vegetables on a yearround basis at a reasonable price. If S. 1200 is effective in reducing the number of undocumented workers in this country. those involved in the perishable crop industry face a choice: they can hire domestic workers if they are available and qualified. however. if they are not. they have to decide between hiring illegal undocumented workers or losing their crop. They would choose the first option at the risk of facing civil or criminal penalties for violating the law. A well constructed immigration reform package should not force a choice between hiring illegals or losing a crop. I believe the real choice should be between hiring domestic workers if available and. if not. hiring legalized foreign workers in a program that provides safeguards by providing protections that are not available to undocumented workers today. My colleagues amendment would ensure that a sufficient supply of seasonal workers could be provided in a timely manner in the event of domestic worker shortages. It will protect the rights of both domestic and foreign workers. provide decent wages and working conditions and guarantee that workers return to their countries of origin upon the expiration of their temporary visa. I might also add that the administrative costs of the program will be borne by participating growers through a user fee required by the amendment and not by the American taxpayer. In simple terms. the amendment simply assures that any immigration reform proposal containing employer sanctions will not confront thousands of small family farms in this country with the option of either going out of business due to a lack of an available workforce or facing heavy civil and criminal penalties for failing to comply with the immigration laws. Moreover. the Wilson amendment will also provide protections to the workers and ensure regular supplies of perishable commodities to American consumers. I urge the support of my colleagues on this amendment.