Ag Jobs bill seen has having better chance of passing

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Prospects appear better than ever this year for fundamental change in immigration policy as it relates to agriculture, an official of a group representing employers said Friday.

Mike Gempler, executive director of the Washington Growers League, told a group of cherry growers at the Yakima Convention Center that the incoming Obama administration and a growing belief that agriculture's labor needs are acute improve chances that a bill could pass.

He said he expects California Sen. Dianne Feinstein will introduce a bill, most often referred to as the Ag Jobs bill, by spring.

"The bill is our best chance at long-term structural reform," Gempler said.

Gempler said provisions in the bill could be a path to legal residency and a modified guest worker program that adds flexibility for growers.

The nonprofit, Yakima-based organization represents agricultural employers on labor and employment issues.

Several attempts to pass immigration reform have failed in recent sessions of Congress, including the Bush administration's failed effort at comprehensive reform in 2007.

Feinstein failed last year to include elements of the Ag Jobs legislation in other bills.

Opponents of a path to legal residency have argued that agriculture would have fewer labor problems if workers were paid more.

Gempler said estimates are that as much as 70 percent of the farm labor force lacks documents.