WFBF’s Statement Regarding President Obama’s Statement on Immigration

Statement by Casey Langan, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Spokesman, Regarding President Obama’s Statement on Immigration

“President Obama’s plan to fix our immigration system is not the comprehensive, long-term fix that agriculture is seeking.

Agriculture needs a permanent solution from Congress that provides a consistent and reliable workforce. Wisconsin farmers need a new, flexible visa program that allows long-term access for foreign-born guest workers to enter the U.S.

Any changes to the outdated agricultural visa program must also remove the ‘touch-back’ provisions that require workers to return to their home country every year. Touch-back provisions have always been problematic for dairy farm workers given dairy’s year-round labor needs.

After the new Congress takes office next month, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation encourages our state’s congressional delegation to seek solutions and a final product that works for Wisconsin’s $88 billion agriculture industry within immigration reform discussions.”