Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/60127
IMMIGRATION REFORM after November? congressional action this year to over- haul the nation's immigration policies is unlikely. But what is the forecast for immigration reform after the November elections? Pasco, Washington, immigration W attorney Thomas Roach believes the prospects for immigration reform are good, regardless who is elected presi- dent. "I'm 100 percent convinced that the law is going to change," said Roach, who follows politics closely after hav- ing worked as an aide to a U.S. Senator from Alaska in the 1970s. Roach is convinced immigration reform will happen soon for three reasons: 1 Eleven million people are living in the United States illegally, a number that's equivalent to the populations of Washington and Oregon. There is little chance of rounding up that many people, he said. 2 3 The 11 million living here have 4 million children who are U.S. citi- zens and who have a right to live in America. Who will do the work that illegal aliens tend to do? "We have unem- ployment rates that are the highest in 70 years, yet how many native-born, white citizens have showed up to pick apples?" he mused. Roach believes that if President Barack Obama is reelected, immigra- tion reform will be on his "to do" list. "When he ran for president four years ago, immigration reform was among his campaign promises," he said. "He owes Hispanic Americans and agriculture big time if he's elected." Although conservative Republicans of late generally support closing U.S. borders first, tackling comprehensive reform later, and have been opposed to amnesty, Roach believes that public sentiment is changing. Roach said that both the Wall Street Journal and the U.S. Chamber of Com- merce favor immigration reform. And, numerous surveys show that 70 per- cent of likely Republican voters sup- port a solution to immigration when the question is asked in a manner that outlines a rational approach. Roach also believes that the increas- ing number of Hispanic voters will command attention of Republican politicians. Hispanic voters in 2030 is projected to climb to 18 percent. If front-runner Mitt Romney is cho- sen as the Republican presidential nominee, Roach said that Romney's family values and ties to Mexico (his father was born in Mexico) will bring him to the immigration policy debate. "The Tom Roach version of immi- gration reform includes a realistic guest-worker program for seasonal agriculture that doesn't require paying for airfare, food, and housing and a realistic immigrant visa program that allows a reasonable number of green card permits," he said. —M. Hansen www.goodfruit.com Buckeye® Buckeye® Gala that we have seen to date. Buckeye® develops well through the summer heat and the fruit finishes with a bright, full red color. USPP# 10,840 Additional Varieties Ambrosia™ Blondee™ Cameo® Gala: Buckeye® brand Chrisolyn™ Jonathan Granny Smith Jonastar™ Jonagold Pink Lady® Brand RubyMac® Snowsweet® Spartan Zestar!® Gala Ultima Gala® Early Fuji: Morning Mist™ Rising Sun® Braeburn: Kumeu Crimson® Mariri Red™ Brookfield® Gala (Baigent CV) From New Zealand we bring you Brookfield,® the ultimate striped Gala.The bold red stripe over its red background is the obvious improvement. The apple's early color permits proper harvest timing for best storage maturity, flavor retention, and customer satisfaction. USPP# 10,016 Willow Drive Nursery, Inc. Call Toll Free: 1-888-548-7337 3539 Road 5 NW, Ephrata, WA 98823, www.willowdrive.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER APRIL 1, 2012 21 Gala is the highest coloring Gala Gala Honeycrisp Introduced in 1991, Honeycrisp is creating quite an interest with commercial growers. The well- balanced, sub-acid flavor combined with a crisp, juicy texture make for an enjoyable eating experience. Morning Mist™ Fuji This apple is an early maturing Fuji sport. Discovered in Brewster, Washington, this is one of the best early Fuji selections available on the market today. Maturity is approximately four weeks ahead of standard Fuji. USPP# 16,270 Aztec Fuji® Aztec Fuji® DT2 variety is a high colored Fuji sport from New Zealand. It has the sweet juicy flavor, crisp texture and harvest maturity of standard Fuji. Aztec is a blush type and observations show it to be one of the highest coloring Fuji sports to date. Aztec Fuji® is a protected trademark of Waimea Variety Management Ltd. ith political minds focused on the 2012 presidential election, Capitol Hill insiders agree Willow Drive Nursery Call Now for Availability