Speech #1090119642

Not a single person responded anywhere in the 58 counties of California. That was pretty convincing evidence to me that Americans dont choose to do this work. It is the undocumented workforce who has been the mainstay of American agriculture. whether through the H2A program coming cyclically or whether it is through a large contingent of undocumented workers who remain in this country year after year and do this work. Under this programand this was an amendment that I made after negotiations with Senator CRAIG who has been one of the Senate leaders on the agriculture jobs programand I was very 152. Pt. 4 4533 pleased to negotiate with him and very delighted to see that he really cared enough to spend the day Monday in the Judiciary Committee. Between us. and with the committees help. we have worked out a program whereby an undocumented worker could apply for a blue card if that worker could demonstrate that he or she has worked in American agriculture for at least 150 workdays within the previous 2 years before December 31. 2005. After receiving blue cards. individuals who have then worked an additional period in American agriculture for 3 years. 150 workdays per year. or 100 workdays per year for 5 years. would be eligible for a green card. Their spouses could work. and their children could remain in the country with them. What would be the result of this? The result is that American agriculture would have a stable base of employment which is legal. which has the opportunity to bring people out of the shadows into the bright light of day. assume additional responsibilities. grow in the process. and raise their families. I think that is healthy for America. not unhealthy. Also. we reform the current H2A program. which is the agricultural guest worker program. which employs. I would say around 30.000 people and is used largely in the tobaccoproducing States. The way this is reformed is it makes it easier for an employer to apply for workers through an attestation system. the paperwork is simpler. the housing requirements are changed to make it easier. In general. the bill updates the H2A agricultural program. Returning to the larger bill. I suppose the most contentious part is what should happen to the 12 million people who are living here in the shadows. undocumented. Many would say they are here illegally. they ought to go back. Well. they are not going to go back.