IFB Focuses on Immigration

Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) supports a workforce that addresses agriculture's needs today and in the future. This means dealing responsibly with our existing workforce. It also means looking to the future and assuring that farmers have long-term access to a steady supply of skilled agricultural workers.

"We're trying to make sure agriculture is covered in any immigration reform," Illinois Farm Bureau National Legislative Director Adam Nielsen said. "We'll be meeting soon with members of our (congressional) delegation to help them understand the issue from agriculture's perspective."

Not only is IFB meeting with decision-makers, but this member organization is also sending a letter to the state's congressional delegation addressing the immigration and labor concerns of Illinois livestock, grain, and specialty farmers.

Efforts like IFB's are bringing decades of immigration reform debate to a head again this year. As the result, a bipartisan immigration plan is emerging from the U.S. Senate.

Nielsen continued, "It's nice to see we have senators representing all political stripes involved in this issue. Both parties appear motivated to work on it."

American Farm Bureau Federation, which IFB members are automatically part of, has joined the Agriculture Workforce Coalition, building a louder, united voice for the farming community.

"We will continue to work through the Agriculture Workforce Coalition in our efforts to ensure that America's farmers, growers and livestock producers have long-term access to a steady supply of skilled agricultural workers. We think the best way to do this is through a modern agriculture worker visa program," said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman in a public statement.

"We will continue to work with members of Congress and the Obama administration to ensure any resulting program is fair, flexible and works to help us feed our growing nation. We also support efforts that would allow experienced laborers the opportunity to earn an enhanced status for the roles they have played in helping us keep our farms running and American agriculture strong. Both elements are critical to an agricultural immigration reform package."