The DREAM Act Amnesty: Legalizing Agricultural Workers Since 2012



The DREAM Act amnesty was supposed to be about college-bound valedictorians. Instead it is preductibly turning into a cheap labor program for agriculural employers. As more work permits are given out, the situation for American workers is going to get worse.

DREAM Act Amnesty Anything But One for Americans

Versions of the DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act reflect a range of subtle differences, but the concept is the same for all: Certain young undocumented immigrants would have six years to obtain a college degree and become American citizens. But for some, that proposal is more nightmare than dream,” Theindependent.com writes.

“’It completely undermines the role of law,’ said Kristen Williamson, spokeswoman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a nonprofit that seeks to end illegal immigration and establish tighter quotas for legal immigration. ‘It sends the message that, as long as you get over the border and don’t commit any violent crimes, you’ll be granted amnesty and allowed to stay in the country.'”

The DREAM Act Amnesty: Legalizing Agricultural Workers Since 2012

“Under [President Obama’s amnesty], those eligible are being given a Social Security number and a two-year work permit. For Barcenas and others, this means the ability to work here legally for the first time. And for the apple farmers in Wayne County, [New York] who make up a group of employers inextricably linked to the debate over immigrant amnesty, it’s a step toward a fully legal workforce,” the Rochester Democrat And Chronicle reports.

“’Making [agriculture]local jobs would probably entail increasing wages, and that is obviously something employers don’t particularly like to do,’ he said. ‘But the market ought to determine the price of labor to some degree, and agriculture has thought for a long time that they should be exempt from that.’”

About Author

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Dan is the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)'s President after joining the organization in 1982. He has testified more than 50 times before Congress, and been cited in the media as "America's best-known immigration reformer." Dan has appeared on virtually every significant TV and radio news/talk program in America and, in addition to being a contributing editor to ImmigrationReform.com, has contributed commentaries to a vast number of print media outlets.

2 Comments

  1. avatar

    I agree stop immigration close door for a while only allow for a some time profesionals seriously enforce fines to employers hiring illigals

  2. avatar

    They Should Be Paying Washington Apple Tree Pickers Like $20-30/hr

    Its a very dangerous ladder job, somewhat like firemen face. And it wouldn’t hardly up apple prices at all, since farm labor makes up such a miniscule percentage of the price of apples at the store.

    But God forbid we put real Americans to work on Wash St apple farms at a fair wage [they should get medical benefits too, for accidents].

    Makes you wonder how much of our American Ag Corporations are controlled by like Chinese [or other foreign interests] Overlords for slave labor now.