Mr. Chairman. by all accounts the current guestworker program needs to be reformed because It is not working for farmers or for guestworkers. And it is clear that this immigration bill will reduce the number of foreign workers available to farmers. As the Agriculture Committee Report on the Pombo amendment states. "Without an adequate guestworker program. illegal immigrants fill the void. The Department of Labor estimates that 25 percent of the 1.6 million agricultural workers are illegal aliens." Let me repeat: Without an adequate guestworker program. illegal inmigrants fill the void. The new H2B program created by the Pombo amendment will fix the problems with the current program and help eliminate the use of illegal aliens In agriculture. And by requiring growers to hire U.S. citizens if they are available. this program will not displace American Jobs. Some opponents have characterized this amendment as nothing but a benefit to agribusiness.
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illegal immigrants illegal aliens H2B immigration