Saturday, November 21, 2009

Looking in to Vermont Dairy Farms Payroll Records

This article discusses the plight of Vermont dairy farmers who are being targeted by ICE officials looking for undocumented farm hands. It appears that the Feds have only subpoenaed payroll records from November 2008-November 2009.

The farmers are reported to be anxious about the subpoenas because they are "already suffering financially because of low milk prices."

I am very sympathetic for America's farmers, who like most working people, have been hurt by global agricultural markets. At the same time I cheer for ICE for going after payroll records instead of immigrants.

in reference to:

""I'm disappointed that this comes amid a crisis in dairy prices and at the start of the holiday season," said Leahy, D-Vt. "We have a broken system that does not work well for anyone, and especially for dairy farmers and the workers they need to keep their farms running. This is all the more evidence that we need workable reform of the agriculture visa system, and it can't come soon enough."The announcement from Dairy Farmers Working Together recommended that dairy farmers affected by the crackdown call the state Agency of Agriculture for assistance from an immigration attorney."
- The Associated Press: Federal immigration officials target Vermont farms (view on Google Sidewiki)

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