Colonial Privileges for Thee?
Regarding Allysia Finley's 'How Progressive Government Set the Stage for the L.A. Riots' (Life Science, June 16): One of the recent progressive talking points has been that pro-immigration uprisings are acceptable because California and other southwestern states were 'originally Mexican land.' Never mind that the Mexicans were only on that land because they also colonized, displacing and dispossessing Native Americans themselves. Apparently leftwing radicals think such an inconvenient truth can be overlooked and forgiven.
This Brit wants to know: Come the next Democratic administration, will the party maintain that principle by arranging for the cession of the 13 colonies back to the U.K.? Or do some colonial empires get privileges over others?
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He called for comprehensive immigration reform that addresses border security, provides a legal and stable workforce for farmers and agribusinesses, and modernises existing farmworker programmes. Approximately 50% of agri-food industry workers in the US are estimated to lack legal work authorisation, according to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) data. Farmworkers comprise the highest percentage of these undocumented immigrant workers. California is the nation's leading food and agriculture state and where, according to data from the governor's office and University of California, an estimated 50% or more of agri-food industry workers are undocumented. Industry leaders there are sounding the alarm over how the ICE raids at farms and processing facilities are making the already existing food and farm labour shortage even worse. 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Ulukaya is urging the Trump administration to reconsider its position, saying at The Wall Street Journal's Global Food Forum in Chicago last week that the country's food supply chain is being threatened by aggressive nationwide immigrant enforcement raids. 'We need to be very realistic,' Ulukaya said at the forum. 'We need immigration and we need workers for our food system to work.' Ulukaya is right – and I believe the immigration flip-flop debacle actually opens rather than closes the door for what is much needed immigration reform for the food and drinks industry. The US agri-food system in its current form needs immigrant workers in order to function. I also believe Trump is aware of this fact and, based on what he's been saying lately, is open to immigration reform as it pertains to immigrant workers. Numerous Republicans and Democrats in Congress are also aware immigrant workers fuel the US agri-food industry. 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Allow undocumented workers to earn legal status through continuous agricultural employment, background checks and payment of taxes. Current visa programmes don't account for the unique demands of food processing, packaging and year-round crop work. Reform ideas: Develop a visa category specifically for the agri-food supply chain, from farm to processing, to distribution. Include flexible entry/exit options and labour protections. Immigrant agri-food workers are vulnerable to exploitation due to their immigration status. Reform ideas: Tie immigration reform to stronger enforcement of fair wages, safe working conditions and housing standards. Protect whistleblowers from retaliation or deportation when reporting labour violations. Farmers face labour shortages, while government visa systems and enforcement agencies often act in isolation or conflict. Reform ideas: Create a national database or registry of agri-food labour demand. Allow states to sponsor or co-manage temporary labour programmes based on regional workforce needs. Encourage public-private partnerships to recruit, train and place immigrant labour legally. Let's face it: pretending the US agri-food system in its current form can function without undocumented workers is a fantasy. Hoping Trump will change his mind again and exempt agri-food industry workers from immigration enforcement might not be a fantasy but it is folly because, among other things, hope isn't a strategy. Instead, the food and drinks industry and its supporters should focus – and do so immediately – on immigration relief and reform for agri-food workers, focusing on both the Trump administration and on Congress. It's the best strategy not only for the industry but also for consumers and the nation as a whole. "The US food and drinks industry needs immigrant labour – but the system requires reform" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio