Blog: Discussing Immigration Reform with Agriculture Leaders

Statement

This week, representatives from the California Strawberry Commission visited my office in Washington to discuss agriculture and our nation's guest worker program.

California is our nation's leading agriculture state - generating more output than any other state and creating $43.5 billion in revenue a year.

However, our broken immigration system threatens the viability of this crucial component of our state's economy and nation's food supply.

I support the creation of a guest worker program based on free market principles that meets the seasonal and year-round needs of agriculture and other industries.

However, agriculture is not the only part of our economy suffering from our broken immigration system. Congress must also make sure the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs educated at American universities can legally stay in our country, contribute to our economy and create jobs.

A study found that for each 100 immigrants with advanced STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degrees who stay in the United States an additional 262 jobs are created. Our immigration system must be modernized to help our growing technology sector which is why I introduced the SKILLS Visa Act to increase the number of STEM visas for foreign students and ensure America's future as a leader of growth and innovation.

Additionally, I have supported legislation to fully implement the E-Verify program which will allow employers to confirm that documents presented by prospective employees are valid and that they are eligible to work in the United States. I have also supported legislation to permit states and local law enforcement officials to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

The single biggest challenge to reforming our immigration system is resolving the status of the 11 million illegal immigrants currently in our country. Ultimately, those who demonstrate the ability to contribute to our society in a meaningful way should have a path forward to guide them, be placed at the end of the legal-immigration line, meet the strict standards established and face a rigorous but fair application process. Those who are migrant workers should be put into a temporary guest-worker program. And, those whose presence is not in our national interests should be immediately removed.

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