Who will harvest the crops?

[PLC1]

In the new zeal to find a simplistic answer to the complex issue of illegal immigration, it seems the farmers (most of whom in this area voted for Trump, BTW) have been forgotten.
This is nothing new, of course from 2014:

Despite conservatives’ claim of the contrary, the number of undocumented Mexican immigrants in America is on the decline, reported the Wall Street Journal. This decrease is beginning to affect farmers as there aren’t enough Americans willing to work on these farms, a job usually occupied by undocumented Mexican immigrants.

As you may recall, back in 2014 the White House was occupied by a Democrat who "wanted open borders" according to his political detractors.
So, now we have a Republican dedicated to the idea of deporting millions of people and building a wall.
According to one large grower:

‘So what are you Westside farmers whining about now?’ I asked Del Bosque when I visited him Monday in his office, a modest double-wide trailer on the edge of an almond orchard off Interstate 5. He chuckled. Farmers are always complaining about something. If they aren’t complaining, it’s because they’re too busy worrying. Del Bosque is, as usual, worried about water. But he’s also worried about immigration, and about President Trump’s vow to deport people who are here illegally. Del Bosque, and just about every grower he knows, depends on migrant labor for harvests.
‘We need a workforce,’ he said. ‘We can’t have immigration come here and round everyone up and deport them. Coupled with building a wall, it will ruin us. It will ruin the whole fruit and vegetable industry.’ [….] California agriculture simply cannot work without migrant labor. For example, the main towns around Del Bosque’s 2,000 acres — Dos Palos, Firebaugh, and Mendota — have a combined population of about 20,000, children included.

Illegal immigration is not a Democrat vs. Republican issue, nor is it something that can be easily fixed. Simplistic solutions to complex problems seldom can.

 

[Openmind]

In the new zeal to find a simplistic answer to the complex issue of illegal immigration, it seems the farmers (most of whom in this area voted for Trump, BTW) have been forgotten.
This is nothing new, of course from 2014:

As you may recall, back in 2014 the White House was occupied by a Democrat who "wanted open borders" according to his political detractors.
So, now we have a Republican dedicated to the idea of deporting millions of people and building a wall.
According to one large grower:

Illegal immigration is not a Democrat vs. Republican issue, nor is it something that can be easily fixed. Simplistic solutions to complex problems seldom can.

Yep! And the California strawberries, the Florida oranges, and the Washington oignons are not ready to be picked yet!

Just expect your fruit and vegetable to cost twice as much this year!

 

[dogtowner]

You may be unfamiliar with the LEGAL alien classification for migrant workers that's been in place for decades.

 

[PLC1]

You may be unfamiliar with the LEGAL alien classification for migrant workers that's been in place for decades.

I'm familiar with the illegal alien problem and the fact that a high percentage of people willing to go and pick fruit are illegals. I'm also familiar with the amnesty bill that was passed about 30 or so years ago to make the illegal legal, and with the results of that amnesty.

 

[Walter]

‘We need a workforce,’ he said.

Oh, this problem is very simple to solve. Just make sure unemployment is high enough and wages become very, very low...

 

[PLC1]

Oh, this problem is very simple to solve. Just make sure unemployment is high enough and wages become very, very low...

That works in Mexico, and in a lot of other third world countries.

 

[dogtowner]

www.farmworkerjustice.org/advocacy-and-programs/us-labor-law-farmworkers

Unskilled labor is never going to pay a high wage.

 

[PLC1]

www.farmworkerjustice.org/advocacy-and-programs/us-labor-law-farmworkers

Unskilled labor is never going to pay a high wage.

No, but it pays a lot higher wage in the US than it does in Mexico, which is why we have illegal immigration.

 

[dogtowner]

No, but it pays a lot higher wage in the US than it does in Mexico, which is why we have illegal immigration.

And in the case of these migrant workers, legal aliens to pick the crops.
Point being there is a right way and a wrong way to doing everything.

 

[PLC1]

And in the case of these migrant workers, legal aliens to pick the crops.
Point being there is a right way and a wrong way to doing everything.

Yes, and so far we've taken the wrong way to address immigration.

 

[Openmind]

And in the case of these migrant workers, legal aliens to pick the crops.
Point being there is a right way and a wrong way to doing everything.

There are not enough legal aliens to pick the crops! Why do you think they risk their life and their freedom to cross illegally?

 

[dogtowner]

There are not enough legal aliens to pick the crops! Why do you think they risk their life and their freedom to cross illegally?

Because until now the risk was low relative n to the benefit.
If additional legal migrants are needed then dial up the number of visas.

 

[PLC1]

Because until now the risk was low relative n to the benefit.
If additional legal migrants are needed then dial up the number of visas.

Is that why the pro illegals referred to Obama as the " deporter in chief?"

 

[dogtowner]

Is that why the pro illegals referred to Obama as the " deporter in chief?"

Didn't deport the illegals at his state of the unions. Look at percentages not rhetoric.

 

[Old_Trapper70]

Didn't deport the illegals at his state of the unions. Look at percentages not rhetoric.

They are. But why would he deport anyone at his State of the Union speeches? Did Trump?

BTW, do you know how long it takes to get a work permit from the US in Mexico?