After an issue briefing which featured Craig Regelbrugge, ANLA?EUR??,,????'???s Senior Director of Government Relations, attendees fanned out to visit dozens of Congressional offices. The green industry delegation had a three-part message: extend the H-2B program cap fix which expires at the end of September; enact comprehensive immigration reform that ensures access to a legal and stable workforce, and ensure that any legislation that passes includes good agricultural provisions. ANLA and the green industry support the ?EUR??,,????'??AgJOBS?EUR??,,????'?? agricultural provisions that were included in Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006, which passed the Senate last May.

Looking ahead, there is little change for major reforms to materialize before the November elections. The House may pass a series of narrowly targeted measures like the ?EUR??,,????'??Secure Fence Act?EUR??,,????'?? which passed on September 14. That bill authorizes miles of new fencing and barriers on the southern border, and studies of barrier feasibility on parts of the northern border.