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Immigration reform effort seen as good news for major protein producers
Story Date: 1/29/2013
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Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 1/28/13
A bi-partisan framework aimed at reforming the nation’s immigration policies will definitely have an effect on the meat industry should it become law, according to the head of a leading immigration reform advocacy group.
“This is a first step, like the starter’s gun going off at the beginning of the race,” Tamar Jacoby, president of ImmigrationWorks USA in Washington, D.C., told Meatingplace. “This will affect the meat industry enormously. Everyone (in the meat processing industry) tries to make sure that his or her workforce is authorized. This reform movement will eliminate uncertainties and make sure that everything will be even more effective over time. The most important factor will be in the future as the economy grows and there will be a legal (immigrant) workforce to replace workers as they grow older and retire.”
The effort, introduced this morning by eight U.S. senators from both sides of the aisle, provides a road map that could open the door for citizenship for an estimated 11 million people working and living in the United States illegally. The crux of the plan allows illegal immigrants to apply to become permanent U.S. residents after specific border enforcement goals are met. The U.S. Senate is expected to open debate in immigration policies this spring, followed by the House of Representatives.
Jacoby at ImmigrationWorks reiterates that the proposed changes outlined today are a first step in what could be a long process. But the leader of the advocacy group made up of 25 state-based business coalitions noted that the timeframe for even launching formal immigration reform at this point is a welcome effort.
“It’s a very encouraging event, especially considering that it’s not even February and some lawmakers still can’t even find their offices,” she says. “But there’s still a lot of work to be done. The details still have to be worked out and the hard part will be protecting U.S. workers while also providing opportunities to the immigrant workforce at the same time.”
Several processors and industry associations contacted by Meatingplace were unable to respond by our deadline, although Mike Martin, director of communications at Cargill Inc., exclusively released the following statement:
“Cargill favors comprehensive immigration reform and we will be reviewing the details contained in the proposed legislation. We are hopeful that reform will be implemented in a thoughtful way that is supportive of Cargill’s diverse U.S. workforce,” he said.
For more stories, go to http://www.meatingplace.com/.
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