WASHINGTON - The American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) reports that its Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform (ACIR) continues to move ahead in Washington with its comprehensive package of H-2A reform. ACIR representatives have been able to resume their Member-to-Member and staff-to-staff talks, which had stalled in the wake of the Capitol Hill anthrax scare.

ANLA has also been meeting with worker advocate Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) to search for a workable compromise on the wage issue. All parties involved have shown interest in finding a common solution, according to ANLA.

The Essential Worker Immigration Coalition (EWIC) is working in conjuction with the State Department to perform a comprehensive study to establish the need for guest workers in non-agricultural industries. ANLA says the results of this study will help to attain a "viable service-based guest worker program."

ANLA is working with the Department of Labor to clarify H-2A and H-2B application parameters, to ensure that landscape laborers can qualify for the plans based on landscaping work performed, such as excavation for irrigation pipe installation. The organization hopes to smooth out the rough edges of the application process by clearing up discrepancies that may have kept landscaping employers from qualifying for the programs in the past. The goal is to help landscaping firms acquire labor certifications in a "timelier manner."

For more information, contact ANLA's John Meredith at (202) 789-2900.