Democratic California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer reintroduced legislation today that aims to fill vacant jobs in agriculture with immigrant labor. Jill Morrison reports from Capitol Hill.
Feinstein says AgJOBS will provide 1.5 million guest workers over the next five years. It also gives illegal immigrant the chance to legalize their status.
Feinstein: Earned Legalization is a valid and important concept.
AgJOBS passed the Senate last year. But Democrats could not get Republican leadership in the House to put the bill on the floor -- largely because of the legalization provision. Toni Scully, an orchardist from Lake County, CA says that inaction hurt her pear crop.
Scully: Capable pickers were just nowhere to be found.
Feinstein plans to pressure Congressional leadership to pass AgJOBS before the next harvest. And she believes it will -- now that Democrats are in charge. From Capitol Hill, Jill Morrison, KPBS News.
