A coalition of leading business groups – including the American Farm Bureau Federation – launched a Day of Action for immigration reform yesterday (Wednesday). Groups urged Congress and the Obama Administration to work together to enact immigration reform during events in Washington, D.C. and in more than 60 congressional districts across 25 states. AFBF President Bob Stallman says immigration reform is critical for the ag industry – as many farmers rely on an immigrant labor force. Without reform – Stallman says growers will begin to plant less labor intensive crops or food production will go off shore. Either they import labor or import food – he says.
As a nation – Stallman says the U.S. can’t afford to continue with an immigration system it has long outgrown and is working more and more against the overall national interest. The coalition urges Congress and the administration to work together to achieve real immigration reform that addresses the needs of farmers and the economy – and the country’s need for border security