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BOISE Rick Naerebout, Idaho Dairymens Association CEO, told a group of lawmakers and agricultural industry leaders Tuesday that hed hoped the gathering would be more of a celebration.

Most of those gathered, which included U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho; state Sen. Jim Guthrie, R-McCammon, and leaders from the Idaho Farm Bureau, Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, and others, had met the year before to discuss ongoing issues to address the agricultural labor crisis.

Simpson and Guthrie have made some progress in their efforts to address immigration reform and agriculture workforce shortages but their proposals didnt cross the finish line. The theme of the American Business Immigration Coalition roundtable, held Tuesday in Boise, was theres more work to be done and the stakeholders involved will continue to prioritize the issue.

What agriculture needs is a stable, reliable workforce, Simpson said, and I will tell you, this is the No. 1 priority I have over the next two years.

The congressman along with Eastern Washington Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse co-sponsored the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which would expand a temporary visa program for seasonal migrant workers to be used year-round; it would also provide an avenue for workers with a history of farm work to gain legal status.

The bill has passed with bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives twice but stalled in the Senate.

U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, with Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet, had been the lead negotiators in the Senate, NPR reported. Crapos office did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

Enrique Sanchez, intermountain state director at American Business Immigration Coalition, called on the Senate to do its job and said protecting the agricultural workforce is critical for food security in America. He also said that, as a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient and son of a migrant farm worker, hes familiar with their struggles. Sanchez said his fathers undocumented status prevented him from being able to return to Mexico for Sanchezs birth.

I share my story to shed light on the experience of farm workers who strive for the American dream, and to remind everyone here that my story is one of hundreds of similar stories in Idaho and across the country, Sanchez said.

Simpson also said there are dire economic impacts to not addressing the immigration issue, such as increasing food prices as more food is imported than produced domestically, and underscored that theres also a humanitarian impact at the center of the issue.

He told a story of a farm worker who had been with a company for 19 years when he was suddenly deported after trying to renew his drivers license.

Somethings wrong with that, Simpson said. Creating that legal workforce, so if youre here working at a dairy or with a farmer or something else, and your mother dies in Honduras, you can actually go home to her funeral and come back. Thats whats important about this.

Idaho state Sen. Jim Guthrie addresses participants in a roundtable discussion at the Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry in Boise, Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

At the state level, Guthrie this session sponsored a bill that would have allowed undocumented immigrants to obtain a limited drivers license as well as a Senate Joint Memorial that called on Congress to tackle immigration reform, including allowing the guest-worker visa program to apply to year-round jobs. Hes been working on the restricted license issue for several years now, and this session, SB 1081 was passed out of committee without a recommendation in an unusual move. It was retained on the Senates calendar and eventually sent back to committee without a debate or vote on the floor.

The memorial, SJM 101, passed the Senate in a 25-10 vote and was referred to the House Agricultural Affairs Committee, where it never had a hearing. He told the Idaho Press that theres likely going to be another effort on the issue in the future.

Guthrie said that as hes worked on the issue, hes found that some of his colleagues in the Statehouse find immigration to be too politically toxic to take on.

If you mention the border, if you mention immigration and, heaven forbid, you mention undocumented immigrants, youll get the door slammed in your face quicker than a vacuum cleaner salesman back in the 70s, Guthrie said. ... But what we found is, an issue like this takes courage, and Im not talking about my courage. Im talking about the courage of the businesses, of the industry.

He talked about the widespread support from those in agriculture, including the Idaho Dairymens Association, the Idaho Farm Bureau and PODER Idaho, which gathered 8,000 signatures of support for the license bill and presented them during the committee hearing.

Pretty soon the ability to deny is not going to be able to resonate any longer, Guthrie said.

Simpson and Guthrie said it will take a large communication and educational effort to get people to understand the severity of the issue and that there is wide popular support for addressing it. Both said they had colleagues who privately expressed support for their proposals but werent willing to vote for them.

Both lawmakers said they felt it was a small but vocal group of people who simply want to deport all immigrants rather than provide avenues for legalization.

Paranoia sells, Guthrie said. If you can instill fear in people, it resonates, it sells. That loud minority voice is instilling fear.

He said it was important to change the narrative.

Congressman Mike Simpson looks on as Idaho state Sen. Jim Guthrie speaks during a roundtable discussion at the Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry, Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

Simpson said it wasnt enough for just the leaders of industry groups to write in to legislators expressing support, but every individual farmer or producer needed to do so too.

Alex LaBeau, Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, said the issue affects more than just the agricultural industry. He talked about how this idea hit home during a recent visit to New York City.

When you go to the Statue of Liberty and when youre there with your kid and you start to remind them that this country was founded on immigration, LaBeau said. ... the very survival of this country is going to be dependent on immigration reform and our ability to bring people in for the workforce.

Simpson said his path forward is to probably re-introduce his bill and see what the House Judiciary Committee does with it. He said drafting another bill to address some of the committee Republicans concerns would likely cause it to lose the bipartisan support it has.

It has to be bipartisan if its going to pass, he said.

He also said there needs to be a focus on the personal impacts of the lack of immigration reform. His chief of staff, Nikki Wallace, told a story of a 16-year-old girl who became distraught during a discussion in the office on immigration. Wallace said the girl began shaking, and when Wallace asked her privately what the issue was, she said she was worried shed be deported to a country she didnt know anything about.

When were talking about this issue and how can we be successful, weve got to bring the human issue back to it, Wallace said. That is the most uncaring thing, is for this child to be fearful of whats going to happen to her, if shes going to end up in a country that she doesnt know the language or people or anything ... We have to do better for these kids, for people.

Simpson highlighted that the jobs that migrant workers are taking are not ones that Americans are applying for. To participate in the H-2b visa program, employers must ensure that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the opening.

He also said that while people focus on whats going on at the border, its important to remember that many undocumented people are already living and working in communities and the issues are separate.

People need to stop and think about this, Simpson said. These are people that are in our communities that have been for years, that are our neighbors.

Go here to see the original:
Simpson, Guthrie: More work to be done on immigration, farm ... - KPVI News 6

The often overlooked, yet key public official most responsible for quality of life and public safety in thousands of American communities carries a badge, not a briefcase. In old England they were called Shire Reeves (get it?) whose job was to keep the peace on behalf of the king. Today we know them as sheriffs, and under the Biden Border Crisis, they struggle to keep the peace in spite of theking.

FAIR works closely with these law enforcement heroes who see firsthand the adverse impact of open borders. We support them, and there are good reasons you shouldtoo.

Unlike appointed police chiefs who are subject to progressive politics and often capitulate to special interests, the vast majority of the 3,081 of Americas sheriffs are elected and as such, theyre accountable and responsive to citizen concerns, not least of which is rampant illegal immigration. Consequently, as open borders have fueled record numbers of drugs, guns and gangs in recent years, sheriff departments fought back and sought solutions while at the same time, police departments nationwide became increasingly complicit in counter-productive sanctuarypolicies.

One solution was 287(g), a voluntary program named for the section of U.S. Code under which the federal government trains and deputizes local law enforcement agencies to assist with the enforcement of immigration laws. Added into the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act in 1996, it quickly became a force multiplier as it allowed local law enforcement direct access into Homeland Security databases to quickly determine legal status, while creating working relationships with regional ICE offices. For departments that opted in, this productive partnership synergized the data resources of the federal government with the eyes and ears of local sheriffs resulting in more criminal aliens being transferred to ICE and fewer being released into localcommunities.

It works well, so not surprisingly, while 287(g) is still operational, its days may be numbered. Funding is declining, Democrats are putting intense pressure on DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to terminate all the existing agreements (although only Congress can repeal the law itself), and there have been no new Memorandum of Agreements approved since June of 2020, i.e., during the Biden Administration. Worse yet, sheriff departments that utilize the program are under sustained attacks, distractions that Sheriff Chuck Jenkins of Frederick County, Maryland, knows all too well. His department has utilized 287(g) since 2008, passed each years audit with flying colors, and was recognized by ICE as an Exemplary Law Enforcement Partner. Despite those accolades, Jenkins faces regular onslaughts of false allegations by local open borders advocates determined to stop theprogram.

Like most sheriffs, Jenkins tenaciously defends his use of 287(g) because as he says, its the only way I can honor my promise to never put known criminal aliens back onto my streetsand frankly those who want to stop me from doing my job are just a small but very vocal percentage of voters, a claim proven by the fact hes been sheriff for 17 years and recently reelected for a 5th term. There may be some wolves at the door as Jenkins notes, but the voters clearly support his law and order approach to illegal immigration, time andagain.

Jenkins does acknowledge as do most of his fellow sheriffs across the country that while 287(g) is a crucial resource, the ultimate solution is to secure theborder.

But until that happens, sheriffs need encouragement from you to retain 287(g), to apply for it if they dont have it, and to use their influence against state legislatures that want to gut their authority with dangerous sanctuary policies. Given that using 287(g) is both a necessity for public safety, yet one that also becomes a target for radical open borders activists, many elected sheriffs need support from the public to hold the line against the small, but boisterous, minority that opposes any manner of immigration enforcement. Thus, you can bet these local public servants (who are unusually receptive to hearing from citizens) will appreciate a reinforcing thank you for holding the line and facing the heat, while steadfastly trying to keep thepeace.

Read more:
Local Sheriffs Need Your Support - Federation for American Immigration Reform

House Republican leadership is pushing for a delay to a planned markup next week of multiple immigration and border security bills as it deals with infighting between members a move likely to upset immigration hawks keen to see action from the caucus on the historic migrant crisis at the southern border.

Punchbowl News reported Thursday that leadership has asked Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to delay a planned consideration of as many as eight border and immigration bills next week before the April recess.

But sources told the outlet that leadership had delayed the markup until after the recess, meaning it will be more than four months since Republicans took control of the House before there is any consideration of legislation to tackle the ongoing migrant crisis at the southern border. A source familiar with the situation confirmed the Punchbowl News report to Fox News Digital.

BIDEN ADMIN SCALING BACK DETENTION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, EVEN AMID MIGRANT SURGE

Republicans had been planning to markup as many as eight bills next week. (Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images / File)

Jordan told Punchbowl that "we have eight pieces of legislation that we think makes sense, and were going to get done as soon as we can, but were working with the whole conference."

Republicans have little wiggle room when it comes to defections as they have just a five-seat majority in the lower chamber. While there has been consensus on the broad strokes of how the caucus should tackle the migrant crisis, deep divisions have emerged between members.

Specifically, legislation introduced by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, which would allow DHS to block the entry of illegal migrants into the U.S. until there was "operational control" of the border, has seen internal Republican opposition from a small number of lawmakers.

Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, has been the most vocal opponent of the bill, calling it anti-American and claiming it bans asylum a claim Roy has denied. Gonzales' opposition to the bill was one factor in the Texas Republican Partys move to censure him this month.

But Republicans had campaigned on coming up with solutions to the border crisis and have already held a number of hearings at the border to draw attention to the crisis. Last year, Republicans unveiled a number of policy proposals to secure the border that they said they would advance if they took the House. Policies include finished the Trump-era border wall, expanding Title 42, modernizing technology and overhauling the asylum system.

DHS PUSHES BACK AGAINST MCCARTHY CALL FOR MAYORKAS TO RESIGN OR FACE POTENTIAL IMPEACHMENT

Since then, some Republicans including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have floated the possibility of impeaching DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. That move has yet to happen, although two lawmakers have introduced articles of impeachment.

A coalition of hawkish groups, including the Heritage Foundation, Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), America First Policy Institute and Numbers USA, had written to GOP leaders in February urging the party to keep its promises and warning that resources alone were not enough and that laws needed to be changed to end loopholes.

In a statement on Thursday, Heritage Action Executive Director Jessica Anderson said border security needs to be the "top priority" for the House.

BORDER HAWKS SAY FAILURE TO PASS BORDER SECURITY BILL WOULD BETRAY GOP COMMITMENT TO AMERICA

"House Republicans have been in power for several months," she wrote. "They must immediately develop and consider a border security package that ends the asylum fraud, creates an authority to immediately expel illegal aliens, sends resources to complete the border wall, and gives border agents the personnel and tools needed to carry out their proper duties, not the mass release of illegal aliens as directed by the Biden administration. Migrants must be disincentivized from making the dangerous journey to cross the border illegally, and must not be promised any possibility of amnesty."

Anderson noted the ongoing fentanyl crisis, which is primarily smuggled across the border, as well as cartel trafficking and an increase in the number of individuals encountered on the terror watch list. While she blamed the "Biden administrations deliberate border destruction," she also urged action from Republicans.

"The time is now American sovereignty has been severely damaged. Heritage Action urges House Republicans to follow through on their Commitment to America and move forward on consideration of a border security package," she said.

Meanwhile, Democrats and the Biden administration have been attacking Republicans for failing to agree to border security funding requests made by the Biden administration. President Joe Biden himself has called for Republicans in Congress to support additional funding to the ports as well as pathways to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S.

Fox News' Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.

See the article here:
GOP leadership pushes back immigration, border bill markup amid infighting - Fox News

In Afghanistan, Dr. Wessal Mukhtar was a successful doctor for 20 years. After coming to the United States 10 months ago, he and his family have struggled just to pay rent.

Mukhtar was among the panelists in San Francisco last week for a program titled Refugees in the Bay Area: Welcoming Our Neighbors, held at the Mission District community space and caf Mannys.

Members of the local immigrant community and their supporters gathered to tackle questions of resettlement, immigration policy and how Bay Area residents can best help their new neighbors, and the space was filled to capacity as Mukhtar told his story.

Along with his wife and six children, Mukhtar fled Afghanistan in March 2022 after the fall of Kabul seven months earlier.

After arriving in San Francisco, the Mukhtars were helped by Jewish Family & Community Services East Bay, which helped them secure housing, jobs and schools for the children. But complications and hardship soon followed. Despite his education, Mukhtar cannot practice medicine due to visa regulations; he cannot buy a home with no credit history in the U.S.; and two months ago, his youngest daughter passed away.

I have to be strong, Mukhtar told the audience. I am here in this region [so] my children can grow.

San Francisco Supervisor Myrna Melgar, a Jew from El Salvador who emigrated in the 1980s to escape civil war, hosted the panel, which also included Joe Goldman of HIAS (a Jewish nonprofit that aids refugees and asylum seekers) and Robin Mencher, CEO of JFCS East Bay.

I think Jews understand more than most people the harm that occurs when refugees are not welcome.

State Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco dropped in before things got underway to shake hands and promote his recently proposed State Senate Bill 85, which would grant refugees and asylum seekers an additional 90 days of case management support on top of the 90 days given by current policy.

The work of immigration reform, Wiener said, is intimately tied to his Jewish identity.

I think Jews understand more than most people the harm that occurs when refugees are not welcome, Wiener said.

Many of the hardships faced by refugees like Mukhtar and his family are the direct result of United States policy, Goldman pointed out.

He said that HIAS which considers itself the worlds oldest refugee agency and was founded as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society in 1902 is heavily involved with not only resettlement, but also with advocating for legislation that would make things easier for refugees seeking to enter the country. Goldman encouraged the crowd to get involved in local politics, contact representatives and advocate for change.

We should be welcoming far more people into California, said Goldman, community engagement director for the Western region of HIAS.

Mencher praised the work JFCS East Bay is doing on the ground to help refugees after they arrive in the Bay Area. The agencys mission is to help those in need flourish with dignity, a process that is different for every family, she said.

Over the course of the event at Mannys, which is owned by Manny about town and observant Jew Manny Yekutiel, it became clear that, despite the efforts of agencies such as HIAS and JFCS, much is still needed when it comes to a family like the Mukhtar family.

When asked what he wanted to leave the audience with, Mukhtar, through a translator, said that although the assistance he has received has been life-changing, there need to be more resources for families like his.

[I want] the government as well as these organizations to look into the possibilities of increasing these services, furthering the assistance programs and helping refugees, Mukhtar said.

Read more:
In Afghanistan he was a doctor. Now he struggles to pay rent. J. - The Jewish News of Northern California

For the first time ever, two of the largest associations representing the home-based care industry have joined together on a call to action regarding the workforce shortage.

On Monday, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) released a report that details the needs of the nursing and home care aide workforces and specifically recommends policy changes and operational practices that can be implemented to address the workforce shortage in home-based care.

What I think is truly innovative with this report is the collaboration of it, Kristen Wheeler, NAHCs executive director of private duty home care, told Home Health Care News. This really brought the associations together in a way that hasnt been done before.

Industry leaders from across the home-based care space came together to form working groups to strategize and solidify actionable steps to address the issue, Wheeler said.

Some of the recommendations include higher wages and immigration reform, which are familiar concepts. Others, however, are more fresh.

Those include: creating agency-based peer mentoring for new hires during the first 90 days of employment; replacing weekly or bi-weekly pay with daily or on-demand pay; and engaging with nursing schools to institute rotations in a community or home care setting as part of a nursing school curriculum.

The industry also has to do a better job of educating policymakers about the financial implications that come with low-paying home care jobs while demand continues to rise, according to the report.

It also emphasizes the importance of collecting data that will show how the cost trend factors in home care are threatening the affordability of family-funded or private-pay care. Higher prices for care would then lead to more need for Medicaid support, something policymakers would have no choice but to pay attention to.

One of the main sticking points, Wheeler said, was for the industry to change the public perception of direct care workers and to put their struggles in the limelight.

Two of the work groups focused on supply, benefits and retention and two of them focused on elevating the profession and really getting a more positive image of the profession out there, Wheeler said. Particularly for the direct care workers. Everyone understands what a nurse is and what they do. Oftentimes, theres confusion out there as to what a home care caregiver or home health aide really does and what kind of skill level they actually operate under.

Wheeler pointed to one comment specifically, made by Pattie Rodgers, the VP and director of operations at the Pennsylvania-based home care provider Waverly Care.

The way private home care is paid can be contributing to misperception of the complexity of what we do, Rodgers said in the report. Clients, who pay $100 or more for a few hours of housecleaning, often balk at paying anywhere near that for home care.

That perception needs to shift, Wheeler said, which is a massive undertaking.

Theres a reason that people arent coming into the industry and its because they dont even understand whats great about the industry, Wheeler said. So its going to take time to get that information out there and into the public, but it has to start now with all of us.

While this latest report is an example of how the industry can come together to try to enact change, its also crucial for states to band together in order to affect change at the federal level.

That could start by getting everyone on the same page with workforce training standards.

I think the federal government really needs to implement benchmarking standards for people providing care in the home, Wheeler said. There certainly are some bad players out there that are in this just to take advantage of these very vulnerable folks and I think a national standard would start to change that. Its astonishing how many states actually have zero regulations when it comes to this level of home care.

Originally posted here:
NAHC, HCAOA Unveil Practical Solutions To Address Home-Based ... - Home Health Care News