North Carolina farmers urge passage of immigration bill

RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina farmers are urging Congress to pass immigration reform this year.

Farmers and agriculture leaders gathered at the state Farm Bureau yesterday in Raleigh and warned there could be a labor crisis if the legislation isn't passed.

The farmers say the proposal being debated in the US Senate would allow them to keep the trained workers they have now even though some of them may be illegal immigrants.

The farmers also said recent law enforcement operations to find illegal workers is making it more difficult for them to find field workers.

Farm Bureau President Larry Wooten says without reform, jobs will be lost and more farmland in North Carolina will be sold for development.

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