Fresh Produce Discussion Blog

Created by The Packer's National Editor Tom Karst

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Immigration wishes

What are the chances that the Senate will move on comprehensive immigration reform in the next two weeks? It is no slam dunk, but a few lawmakers and their staffers expressed "cautious optimism" today in lobbying visits. One Senator told a visiting group of growers that the fate of immigration reform will be known by next Friday.

Apparently there is a move by Sen. Saxby Chambliss to change AgJobs in a few ways, including a "10 in an 2 out" rule that would require each guest workers to return home for two months a year. Chambliss also would take out "earned legalization." While undocumented workers could apply to get opened ended visas to keep working in agriculture, Chambliss wants no part of "amnesty" and would have workers return to their country before they could start on a path to U.S. citizenship.

Whether any efforts to tinker with AgJobs will doom the whole package - Democrats are resisting the changes proposed by Chambliss - will be determined over the next few days.

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