Dear Council Members,
According to Dave Puglia, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Western Growers Association, labor and tariffs are major impediments to the farm industry. On the labor force, we need to “provide these folks legal status. Get them out of the shadows.” he said. Additionally, tariff policy has cut off the major market sharing between Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Some industries are hurt more than others, like our local strawberries and grapes, both labor sensitive crops and the most integrated into Mexican and Canadian trade agreements.
This County ‘s 2-billion-dollar industry drives all the surrounding stores, restaurants, and tourist industry that are crucial to our daily lives. However, the lives of this targeted workforce are the most impacted. You have heard testimony on a bi-weekly basis about ICE’s disruptions and their upending of lives in Santa Maria. They remove our neighbors and break up families without due process or cause.
We are unsure what more information you need to create the Immigration Task force. But if you do, feel free to talk to any farmer or small business owner in Santa Maria or listen to those who have come before you to share facts.
It is the minimum of what you as elected representatives should be focused upon – your neighbors and our economy. Your community has been doing the heavy lifting for you. Now it is time for you to step up for us.
Sue and Larry Heitman
Santa Maria, California