Biden administration expected to propose sweeping immigration reform
(KION) President Biden is expected to unveil sweeping immigration reforms, including legislation granting legal status to eligible farm workers currently in the U.S., according to farm worker advocates.
United Farm Workers and sister organization, UFW Foundation, said farm workers would be eligible to get green cards if they have worked in agriculture at least 100 days in four of the previous five years. They would also have to pass criminal background checks.
Immigrants and advocates are hopeful this new era will bring undocumented people closer to legal status after years of barriers they say were put in place during the Trump administration.
“You see the policies that Trump put forward, they really eroded a lot of the economic stability of states, like California, because it limited access to labor that is important to sustain the agriculture industry,” Immigrant Legal Services of the Central CoastImmigration Attorney/Executive Director Adriadna Renteria Torres said.
Originally from Mexico, Davian Santana has been in the United States for 19 years, working in the fields and picking grapes. Now, he is feeling optimistic that through President Biden’s immigration reforms, he won’t be scared anymore of going to work and not coming home.
“Not only for me, but for thousands of Mexicans that are working here, without being able to see our families," Santana said.
The past year has been tough on field laborers, working hard through a pandemic and wildfires and still tending to the fruits and vegetables they harvest for the community.
"Honestly, I would like there to be an immigration plan, just like this new president is doing, more so this year because with the fires we didn't do too well, and as immigrants, we barely received any help from the government," Santana said.
Another priority is safeguarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA, and enabling eligible green card holders to apply for citizenship after 3 years.
“I think that a lot more people are going to be able to apply and have that path to citizenship rather than just having to go through a really close family member or work,” Immigrant Legal Services of the Central Coast Staff Attorney Emily Christianson said.
In a statement to KION, Monterey County Farm Bureau said:
"Farm Bureau Monterey has supported efforts for comprehensively reform of immigration policy nationally, and the Biden Administration proposal includes many of these necessary reforms, including pathway to documentation for farm workers and DREAMers. We remain committed to the inclusion of provisions for expanded and streamlined temporary worker programs that will help to meet seasonal labor needs in Agriculture; this is a necessary element that Farm Bureau will continue to advocate for."
