The Edmond Sun (OK): Opinion: Immigration reform is necessary for Farmers and Ranchers

Why don’t they just get in line?

This is the question many ask when it comes to immigrants attempting to enter our country to work. At this point, it is important we acknowledge that under our current immigration laws, it is simpler to come here illegally than legally.

We need immigrants to fill labor shortages, and immigrants want work. A reformed guest worker program should encourage law abiding, taxpaying, industrious seasonal laborers to work through a period of intense labor needs, and then allow them to go back home to family.

At present, there are seasonal opportunities for agricultural workers and other “less skilled” workers; however, this process is not streamlined and quite fastidious. An employer must petition for the worker, and the worker must, in some cases, be able to provide proof of a certain level of income or education.

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