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MI HR0291
Resolution
Status
1/23/2014
Primary Sponsor
Stacy Oakes
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AI Summary
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Urges the President and Congress to implement comprehensive immigration reform tailored to serve state and local economic needs
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Highlights Michigan agriculture as the state's second-leading industry, contributing $15.5 billion annually and producing over 300 different agricultural commodities requiring labor-intensive hand harvesting
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Identifies the H-2A visa program as inadequate for Michigan farmers due to its complexity, high costs, and three-week processing timeline that cannot accommodate unpredictable harvest windows; currently fewer than 250 of Michigan's seasonal workers use this program
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Notes workforce shortages in 2013 forced asparagus growers to abandon entire fields and caused some southeastern Michigan operations to have 30 percent fewer workers than normal, threatening the state's diverse produce supply
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Warns that continued labor shortages may force farmers to transition from labor-intensive fruits and vegetables to commodity crops like corn and soy, potentially costing hundreds of millions in economic activity and thousands of jobs averaging $12.20 per hour
Legislative Description
A resolution to urge the President and Congress of the United States to take a comprehensive, sustainable, and workable approach to improving our nation’s immigration system in an effort to better serve the unique needs of our local and state economies.
Last Action
Referred To Committee On Agriculture
1/23/2014