Thank you so much for covering this story. It is an economic, moral, and ethical dilemma and we need to address this issue with the respect and compassion it deserves. I grew up on a farm here in Leelanau County and I worked along side migrant workers harvesting strawberries and cherries. I have the utmost respect for their skill in picking the fruit without damaging it, their commitment and loyalty to getting the job done in a timely manner, and the hard work ethic and strong moral family-centered character of the people I worked with.
During World War II the American government asked the Mexican government to allow workers to come to the US to harvest our crops because so many of our men were fighting in the war. The Mexicans came under the Bracero program and many would return when the crops were finished. Over 20 or 30 years it is not surprising that there were many who fell in love, married, and had families here in the US.
Now they are called “illegal aliens” by those who have never walked in their shoes. Many have tried to get legal status. The problem comes with the the immigration policy itself. If the first time they came to the US without papers or after their visa expired, if they stayed for up to 6 months, then returned to their home country perhaps to visit an ailing parent, they now have to wait 3 years to be eligible to return to the US. If they were here longer than a year, they now have to wait 10 years before they can return. This tears families apart. It’s a cruel “catch 22.”
I hope we can get comprehensive immigration reform this next year, but with the congress we have, that is very doubtful.
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Comment on Fruit everywhere, but who will pick it? by Beverly BJ Christensen
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