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The Myth of Illegal Immigration and Food Prices
Perhaps the author is uninformed about agriculture in California - America's largest ag state. We grow fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts the planting and harvesting of which is largely done by hand since no machines have been invented that can pick delicate and perishable tomoatoes, grapes, strawberries and the other 400 such commodities. During the year, this requires between 350,000 to 400,000 seasonal workers, about 60-70% improperly documented or illegal aliens. The average pay is about $10 an hour. But the author misses a big point - ag competes in a global market with China, Mexico, Peru, etc where workers are lucky to earn $10 a day. The real threat to America's food supply is not that it will just increase in price, but that it will be produced offshore and imported. If you loved imported oil, you will love being dependent upon imported food. This is a national security issue. Today, the growing of fresh asparagus - one example - is moving to Peru because of lower labor costs. So much for fresh, locally grown produce! Ag needs a legal, stable workforce. That workforce always has been comprised of foreign workers. Americans just will not do this kind of work.— August 19, 2011 8 a.m.