Speech #1090132385

I firmly believe that an amnesty is not in the best interests of agriculture in the United States. The agricultural amnesty in this bill is so similar to the Special Agricultural Worker Program that was enacted as the mechanism for the 1986 amnesty bill that it is really startling. We have heard many Senators talk about all that illegal aliens have to do in order to adjust their status. However. I dont think many people realize that the requirements are not the same for illegal agricultural workers. under the base bill. For illegal agricultural workers to take advantage of the amnesty in this bill. they must have worked at least 150 hours in agriculture over a 2year period. ending in December of 2005. Meeting that threshold requirement will allow the illegal worker to obtain a blue card. Once in possession of a blue cardwhich is a new process. a new cardthat currently illegal worker has a choice of two different paths to a green card. In addition to paying back taxes. he can work 100 hours per year for 5 years or work 150 hours per year for 3 years and get a green card. There is not even a requirement to learn English for agricultural workers to take advantage of the amnesty provision in the base bill. I think the requirements for illegal workers to take advantage of the agricultural amnesty are so low that I fear a repeat of what happened. and failed. in 1986.