Molly J. Smith, Cronkite Borderlands Initiative

Immigration reform poses challenges for farmers along two borders

There is no fruit on the trees in New York in March but Jim Bittner is busy making phone calls and talking to buyers for the upcoming growing season. When he walks outside, the cool air from Lake Ontario bites at his cheeks. If the sky is clear, he might be able to see Toronto, Canada, from one of his apple orchards.

Immigration reform poses challenges along two borders

Immigration laws passed by Congress will inevitably impact farmers on the US borders with Canada and Mexico. They will be on the front lines if a new immigration reform act authorizes more access to private property for patrols, more boots on the ground, more surveillance drones in the air and more regulation of agricultural workers in the fields.

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