New Ag Worker Legislation Introduced
February 2, 2019
New legislation introduced in mid-January would address dairy farm labor needs by reforming the immigration system.
The Agricultural Worker Program Act, introduced in both chambers of Congress, would provide farmers with access to a legal workforce, a key element in the solution to the dairy industry’s workforce challenges. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA, the bill’s lead sponsors, have long been involved in the immigration policy debate.
“NMPF is eager to work with Congress on this issue, as we seek to establish a program for both current and future agricultural workers, which is another critically important component of the debate,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “This bill enables that conversation to start and we commend its introduction.”