One small step for immigration reform*

After years of trying, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) succeeded Wednesday in getting some help for California farmers struggling with labor shortages. In the poisonous atmosphere surrounding immigration, Feinstein tried and failed in 2006 and 2007 to pass an "AgJobs" bill that would have given legal status to undocumented farmworkers if they met certain conditions. On Wednesday, she successfully added an amendment to an Iraq spending bill (a previous version of this post incorrectly called it the farm bill)*. Feinstein's amendment would give up to 1.35 million farmworkers temporary legal status for five years, as long as they can prove they have already been working in agriculture. They must also pledge to do farm work for 100 days a year for the next five years, after which her amendment expires. The amendment does not give workers a way to earn citizenship or long-term legal status. "Agriculture needs a consistent workforce," Feinstein said. "Without it, they can't plant, they can't prune, they can't pick and they can't pack. And the time has come for Congress to step up to the plate."

Posted by Nicole Gaouette nicole.gaouette@latimes.com in Washington

Comments

[nativessayno]

Dianne is not really concerned about farm workers. It is getting a crack in the door to implement amnesty and to nix and deflate the Save Act. I called her office to voice my opposition and they responded to me like I am a cretin.

My vote goes Republican state/locally or to any anti-illegal immigrant candidate. Unpresedented for me to date; but this is highway robbery and the spoils go to sneaky border crossers and worker frauds.

[anthony]

If you want to improve the lives of workers, you must control the labor market. When will anyone learn that by allowing more migrants into the country you are HURTING the chances of those that are currently here improving their lives!!!