NY apple harvest threatened by immigration deadline

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http://www.boston.com/dailynews/282/region/Attacks_put_fruit_harvest_in_j:.shtml

Attacks put fruit harvest in jeopardy as workers face deadline

By Associated Press, 10/9/2001 13:10

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) Apple growers across the state are racing to harvest their crop before stricter immigration laws adopted since the terrorist attacks force workers to leave the country earlier.

Orchard workers from Mexico must return by the time their work visas expire, while workers from Jamaica must leave within 10 days of the expiration date, Delos ''Buzz'' Whitman, director of rural employment services for the state Labor Department, told the Albany Times Union.

''It could represent a problem for many, in terms of finishing the harvest,'' said Kevin Iungerman of the Northeast New York Commercial Fruit Program of Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Normally, workers were allowed some flexibility, depending on weather conditions and other factors influencing harvest time. But the flexibility disappeared after the Sept. 11 attacks as federal authorities clamped down on immigration procedures.

Apple farmers said that move could hobble their harvest if workers are forced to leave before all the crops are picked.

''I could lose some crop,'' said Nate Darrow, owner of Saratoga Apple, which employs six workers from Jamaica. ''Occasionally at the end of a season, I want them to stay an extra week.''

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2001

Answers

Why the hell can't they hire Americans to do this work (especially with all of the unemployment).

The only time I was ever unemployed was the two weeks after I got out of the Army and was setting myself up for a job, and that two weeks nearly drove me crazy. I've always felt I'd bag groceries before going on unemployment, and I would have to think that some of the presently unemployed would feel the same way.

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2001


In this part of the country, there is still a severe shortage of service workers. A few years ago MacDonalds offered a free car in some sort of lottery to attract workers. Now most of the fast-food joints, landscaping businesses, roofing contractors, maid services, tree cutters, etc., are staffed by Hispanics. I believe many Americans are not willing to work for minimum wage, which is around $7/hour.

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2001

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