A comprehensive immigration reform bill, that could have a direct impact on agricultural workers on the Central Coast, has been introduced to the U.S. House Of Representatives, and it’s companion bill has been introduced into the U.S. Senate. The U.S. Citizenship Act Of 2021 would provide green cards to farmworkers and immigrants with temporary protected status, including young people who arrived illegally as children. The bill also provides a path for people to earn the ability to pursue citizenship IF they pass background checks, pay taxes, and fulfill other basic requirements. The bill would also provide resources to help judges (and their support staff) process the backlog of asylum seekers.
Monterey county has the highest percentage of non-citizens of any California county….and they mostly work in the 2 largest industries in the county….agriculture and hospitality.
