[LNewman]

"Farmland Loss: The Central Valley, which provides half of all fruits and vegetables to America, is the most threatened farm region in the country due to its massive population increase, according to American Farmland Trust. In the past 20 years, over two million people have moved to the region, shrinking cropland by 500,000 acres. The valley’s current population of 5.5 million is expected to grow to 12.5 million by 2040, reducing farmland by another one million to 2.5 million acres."

See http://www.fairus.org/Research/Research.cfm?ID=1563&c=9

[jackbenimble]

At the hearing, Asa Hutchinson, a former undersecretary of homeland security, urged the panel to first put workable border security and workplace enforcement systems in place and then consider a guest-worker program.

Isn't Asa the guy who refused to request more funding for the Border Patrol and ICE while he was in charge? Interesting that he has suddenly found religion now.

[snarks_when_bored]

It's an old story: people will continue trying to climb into the life-boat until the life-boat sinks.

[wildbill]

While I'm sympathetic to Californians wanting to ensure their stoop labor supply, why should a guest worker program have the carrot of citizenship at the end.

Migrant agriculture workers are just that: migrants who follow the crops from state to state, but many return to Mexico during the fallow season while others remain in the US and seek other employment or welfare. How would you ever keep track of who is staying permanently at agricultural jobs?.

[JesseJane]

CA: LEGISLATIVE ALERT: SB840 -- socialized Medicine
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1405380/posts

[sure_fine]

Asa is our biggest hindrance to immigration we have, he wants to be Governor of Arkansas, thats next to CA in immigrants

[sure_fine]

Asa is our biggest hindrance to doing something about immigration we have, he wants to be Governor of Arkansas, thats next to CA in immigrants

[Happy2BMe]

Is there another good link to the original story?

[kellynla]

Looks like Feinstein has already started her campaign for reelection...

Too bad Condi Rice won't come home to run against her...

[Know your rights]

Feinstein, D-Calif., said any new guest-worker program – even one requiring employees to eventually return to their home country – would be a "magnet for illegal immigration" and something she could not support.

On this, she's to the right of many Republicans. Sad.

[Paleo Conservative]

Why do we need immigrants to take these jobs. There are plenty of inner city welfare recipients who are available.