Undocumented agricultural workers: a look at one local policy

The LA Times has a story today by Gregory Rodriguez about agricultural workers in Lindsey, CA.  The link is here. Many of the workers are undocumented.  Nevertheless, the town’s economic fortunes have become linked to the workers.  The article underscores the complicated realities of U.S. immigration policy as it operates on many levels.  Ramirez writes:

After the first of March, there will be a brief spurt of activity, whenagricultural officials determine which remaining oranges are frost-freeand good enough to go to market. But by mid-April, when the good fruitruns out, all activity, from picking to trucking, will stop, and therewill be no more work until late October. If workers leave town — and ifthose who stay are jobless — the city’s economy will collapse.

Seekingto avert an economic meltdown, officials have come up with aninnovative plan to not only address joblessness but to keep theworkforce from abandoning the town.

-jmc