FEINSTEIN: Making Illegal Agro Workers Legal

FEINSTEIN: Making Illegal Agro Workers Legal –updated–

This is being debated right now, but I wanted to give you the
up shot while it still is breathing, because it's a Democratic proposal that
deals with real issues, lives and an industry desperately needing to LEGALIZE
their employees. It shows that Democrats understand there are people
behind the hyperbole.

However, that didn't keep people like Senator John Cornyn from railing on behalf
cheap labor for his corporate financiers. Of course, he used the \”a\”
word, amnesty, which is meant to kill the idea.

Cornyn and Kyl have a \”guest worker\” program, but they never offer citizenship, which is the rub and the way they keep their rabid base responding to them. They want a continual flow of cheap labor force, but they never offer citizenship, which honors the contribution these families give to this country. They stipulate that the ag workers don't want citizenship, because they only want work.

Democratic Senator Diane Feinstein of California just proposed
an amendment that will revolutionize the illegal status of tens of millions
of Agriculture workers hiding in the shadows. After living in California for
over 18 years, with deep connections that remain there today for me, this came as quite a welcome relief. It has bi-partisan support and is groundbreaking.

Agriculture in California
employees 1.5 million workers and is a $31 billion industry. Feinstein's amendment 6493 is a pilot program that would allow undocumented
agricultural workers to legalize their immigration status in the U.S. Here's
a broad sweep of what it's about.

Step 1: an undocumented ag-worker would apply for a \”blue card,\”
if they can demonstrate they've worked in agriculture for at least 150 days,
in each of the previous 2 years.

Step 2: a \”blue card\” holder must work in agriculture for an additional
5 years and 100 work days, or 3 years and 150 work days per year.

If the worker meets the requirements, they will then be eligible for a green
card. Employment would be verified through employer-issued itemized statements,
pay stubs, W-2 forms, employer letters, contracts or agreements, employer sponsored
health care, time cards, or payment of taxes.

The program would be capped at 1.5 million blue cards over 5 years. It won't
have an annual cap.

Employment under the blue card program would not be limited to agriculture work.
However, workers must complete the full 100 or 150 day requirement in agriculture
each year to continue in the program. So, once they've finished their ag work
for the year, they are free to work in other industries

Blue card holders will be able to travel in and out of the U.S. Spouses and
agri-workers can apply for their own work permits. Spouses and minor children
can travel in and out of the U.S.

Undocumented workers participating in this program will be required to pay
a $500 fine and show they're current on their taxes. Homeland Security will
decide fee to enter program, $100 or so.

Blue card workers obtaining green cards would be counted outside numerical
limits for U.S. visas and the country's numerical limitations.

Feinstein's proposal is endorsed by the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform, United
Farm Workers of America, as well as other ag. groups.

Feinstein's goal, obviously, is to finally create a legalized workforce for
the agriculture industry. Today, there isn't a legal workforce and everyone
knows it, especially if you've live or traveled anywhere in California.

However, we all know the Republicans who like cheap labor for their business cronies are going to fight it to the death. The Republicans look all tough today via C-SPAN, with \”compassionate conservatism\” nowhere to be seen.

One thing to remember, however, is that when you get to the bottom line, illegal immigration is an American issue that cuts across party lines. There are many, many Democrats who are against guest worker programs, not to mention paths to citizenship. Illegal immigration is not unlike the Dubai port deal, which everyone should take to heart. It will be very tough work doing the right thing.

UPDATE: No sooner had I uploaded this post, than Senator Feinstein said she resented the \”forced march\” being demanded of the Judiciary Committee so they could meet some deadline thrown down by Bill Frist. She was pissed, it was clear. The deal is that if Specter doesn't come up with a bill by tomorrow, Frist is supposedly going to move on a bill on the floor that deals only with border enforcement and not the 11+ million illegal immigrants hiding in this country. Classic reaction from Senator Feinstein.

UPDATE II: The Senate has refused to criminalize the Good Samaritan, as the House wanted.