Idaho’s dairy industry lauds Senate immigration bill passage
Idaho's dairy industry is applauding the Senate passage of bipartisan immigration reform legislation - and scolding Idaho's two senators for voting against it. “This legislation, should it become law, will greatly assist the largest industry in Idaho with the ability to grow and increase productivity,” said Brent Olmstead, director of Milk Producers of Idaho. “We are disappointed that Idaho’s two senators chose to not join in the bipartisan effort to fix the current immigration system. We have been and will continue to work with the Idaho delegation in the House to keep the current momentum on immigration reform going.”
Tena Petter, the group's chair, said, “There is no issue more important to the Idaho dairy industry than this legislation." Click below for the Milk Producers' full statement.
mpi
MILK PRODUCERS OF IDAHO
IDAHO WHEAT & AGRICULTURE CENTER
PO Box 2751
Boise, ID 83701
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
Boise: The members of the Milk Producers of Idaho are pleased by the large bipartisan vote margin (68-32) that the U.S. Senate passed the S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, or the Immigration Reform bill.
The passage of this legislation is a positive step toward assuring a legal and stable workforce for Idaho agriculture.
The legislation makes provisions for those experienced workers already in this country to earn legal residency by meeting certain listed requirements. It also creates a new agricultural visa program that will admit additional needed workers for Idaho’s agricultural community.
“Idaho agriculture in general and the Idaho dairy industry in particular have been struggling to find workers in the domestic market who are willing to perform the work needed to provide an abundant and safe food supply for our country” said MPI Director Brent Olmstead.“This legislation, should it become law, will greatly assist the largest industry in Idaho with the ability to grow and increase productivity.”
“We are disappointed that Idaho’s two Senators chose to not join in the bipartisan effort to fix the current immigration system.”Olmstead continued. “We have been and will continue to work with the Idaho delegation in the House to keep the current momentum on immigration reform going.”
“This will allow for a large segment of workers in Idaho to come out of the shadows”added MPI Chair Tena Petter. “There is no issue more important to the Idaho dairy industry than this legislation.
The legislation now goes before the House where it is expected to have a more difficult time effecting passage.
