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U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) joined the American Business Immigration Coalition and dairy industry leaders at the World Dairy Expo to address the urgent labor shortages facing America’s dairy farmers. They also championed practical immigration reforms tailored to the industry’s needs.
Speakers highlighted the essential role of workers in keeping dairy operations safe, efficient, and productive.
“If we deport every undocumented person working in the agriculture, hospitality, and construction industries, all of them will shutter at a moment’s notice,” Van Orden said. “If our farms close, we’ll be completely dependent on other countries to feed our people, and that is unacceptable.”
He called that situation a national security issue.
Brian Rexing of Dairy Farmers of America said taking hard-working employees off farms doesn’t make communities safer.
“We need Congress and the administration to address our broken agricultural visa program,” he said. “We don’t want shortcuts. We want reform.”
NAFB news service
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