Washington, DC – The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., praised the reintroduction today of the “Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act” ("AgJOBS") by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Larry Craig (R-ID), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and Mel Martinez (R-FL) and Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA) and Chris Cannon (R-UT).

“NCLR's ability to advance the status of farmworkers is at the heart of what we do. For many years farmworker advocates and growers were at an impasse, each arguing for policies to benefit their side of the debate. We congratulate the sponsors of ‘AgJOBS’ who had the courage to move beyond the stalemate and advance legislation that can benefit everyone,” stated Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO.

“AgJOBS” enjoys broad bipartisan support in both Houses, and it passed the Senate last May as part of a comprehensive immigration reform bill. “AgJOBS” would give many agricultural workers in this country who lack authorized immigration status the chance to become legal immigrants, ensuring a stable labor supply for agricultural employers.

“NCLR firmly believes that this is the year that ‘AgJOBS’ will become law, benefiting thousands of farmworkers,” concluded Murguía. “The 2006 elections demonstrated that Latinos are mobilized and focused on fair immigration policies, and will hold their representatives accountable for their actions.”

###