U.S. crops depend on immigrant laborers, California's senators say.

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Los Angeles Times - Los Angeles, Calif. 
Author: Nicole Gaouette
 
 
 Abstract (Document Summary)
 
 
 
About a million undocumented laborers work California's 76,500 farms, making up about 90% of the state's agricultural payroll. Tougher enforcement along the Mexican border and in the U.S. has left farmers scrambling for enough hands at harvest time, especially because undocumented workers tend to leave agricultural work for higher-paying jobs in the construction, restaurant and hospitality industries.

Toni Scully, a Lake County pear grower, said she lost large amounts of a nearly flawless crop last year. "It is extremely painful for a farmer to have to see a portion of his crop abandoned, or fruit culled out because it was harvested too late," Scully said. She estimated that about 25% of the county crop was lost in 2006 due to labor shortages.

Backers said the bill -- cosponsored by Sens. Mel Martinez (R- Fla.), Larry E. Craig (R-Idaho), George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio) and Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) -- has the votes to pass, but also said they would prefer to see it as part of a larger immigration package.

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