MRS > Office of Migration & Refugee Policy > Action Alert: Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2003
June 6, 2004
The Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2003, known as the AgJOBS bill, could be offered by Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) and Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill as early as this week. All Senators should be contacted to support the amendment.
Please call or fax your Senators to request their support of the amendment.
The Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2003 (AgJOBS) represents a bipartisan initiative sponsored by 63 Senators, including lead sponsors Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and Larry Craig (R-ID), and 103 Representatives, including lead sponsors Chris Cannon (R-UT) and Howard Berman (D-CA).
AgJOBS would allow legalization opportunities for undocumented farm workers, protect worker’s labor rights, and provide recourse for farm workers whose labor rights have been violated. The bill would also make substantive changes in the current H-2A agricultural program.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has endorsed AgJOBS. Passage of the bill in the Senate by a large majority would create strong momentum for the House to approve AgJOBS, despite some House opposition.
Call/fax your Senators and urge them to support the Craig-Kennedy amendment. You can either fax a letter to the Washington congressional offices (see attached list of fax numbers) or call them. If your Senator has already cosponsored the bill, thank them and ask them to help bring AgJOBS to a vote as an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill.
Sample Letter
The following is a sample letter you may wish to fax to your Senator in support of the Craig-Kennedy amendment. Offices can be reached by contacting 202-224-3121 and asking for the office of the Senator.
Dear Senator/Representative:
I write to urge your support for the Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2003 ( S. 1645, HR 3142), which may soon be offered by Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) and Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill. The legislation represents a bipartisan initiative which will improve the plight of vulnerable farm workers in the United States and help stabilize a work force crucial to the production of food for all Americans.
As you know, farm workers perform some of the most dangerous and strenuous jobs in the country, working long hours in difficult conditions. They also provide vital manual labor which supports the backbone of our nation’s agricultural industry and helps provide the food supply for all Americans.
If passed as introduced, the bill will constitute real progress in improving the plight of farm workers and ensuring a stable and viable agricultural labor force for years to come.
I urge you to support the Craig-Kennedy amendment to the Defense Authorization bill.
Sincerely,