Flower Growers in Shakira's Home Country Affected By U.S. Immigration Reform

Published on this site: November 1st, 2006 - See more articles from this month

Pop singer Shakira was born in Colombia, which is the number one importer of fresh flowers to the United States. While foreign countries sometimes seem to have so little to do with our lives here in America, our country's decisions regarding immigration and guest-worker programs very greatly affects the livelihood of the hundreds of Colombians working in the floriculture industry. But, if the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform (ACIR) has anything to say about it, Congress will see the very great need we have for a good solution to the immigration question.

ACIR is comprised of organizations like the Society of American Florists (SAF), the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, and the National Council for Agriculture. The members of ACIR plan to rally in Washington, D.C. to urge Congress to come to a viable decision.

"We need to stress to Congress that agriculture needs a viable guest-worker program and earned legalization for our trained and trusted workforce in addition to border security," says Jeanne Little, SAF's senior director of government relations. "And with Congress preparing for elections this year, we only have a small window of time to do that."

In addition to the efforts being made by ACIR, many individuals within the floriculture industry are stepping up to make their case known.

Among those taking a stand are:

• Michelle Castellano:
  
  Castellano, of Mellano and Company in San Luis Ray, California, attended a roundtable discussion with the Secretary of Commerce as a representative of SAF. She explained to Castellano that floriculture has done everything it can to automate the system, but in the end, human hands are required to harvest flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
  
  
• Don Darby:
  
  Darby, of Darby Greenhouses and Farms in Jacksonville, Texas, signed on to an op-ed in the Dallas Morning News that said, "As chairmen, CEOs and stockholders, we call on Congress to act-to go back to Washington and pass realistic immigration reform that provides the workers we need to keep our business growing." The letter, signed by businesses in many industries, ran as the lead editorial.
  
  
• Dianna Doss:
  
  Doss, executive director of the Texas State Florists Association, joined many others in a conference call to discuss forming a coalition called Texas Employers for Immigration Reform. The coalition will seek to improve national security through the screening of foreign workers while allowing undocumented workers to earn legal status.

Shakira's fellow Colombians, many of whom are hardworking people in the floriculture industry, will undoubtedly be heavily impacted by the outcome of the ongoing discussions surrounding immigration reform-and so will Americans who also earn their living through flowers.

Wesley Berry - is member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) and President of Wesley Berry Flowers http://www.wesleyberryflowers.com, a successful multi-million dollar floral business that was established in 1946. He also works with http://www.funeral-homes.net to provide useful information about funeral homes across the nation. He has been recognized by florists nationwide http://www.flowers-nationwide.com as a leader in the flower business. Visit Wesley Berry Flowers on the web at: http://www.800wesleys.com