Farmers weigh in on immigration

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MARK AUSTIN THOMAS: For farmers in Texas, immigrants from Mexico are a lifeline to their livelihood. That’s what they plan say to Congress today. David Martin Davies explains their situation.

DAVID MARTIN DAVIES: The Texas Produce Association represents over 5,000 commercial farms in the Lone Star State. The group says the current debate over immigration reform is hurting members because it’s scaring away farm workers.

J. Carnes is a produce grower in Uvalde, Texas. He said during the harvest this summer, 40 percent of his workers decided to stay in Mexico rather than risking crossing the border.

J CARNES: Timeframes were running 2 to 3 weeks behind and you have severe quality issues when you run 2 to 3 weeks behind. And it was so hot it was literally burning up in the field.

The Texas Produce Association says if the House of Representative’s version of immigration reform becomes law it will destroy farmer’s labor supply and it could put two-thirds of them out of business.

In Uvalde, Texas, I’m David Martin Davies for Marketplace.