The federal government estimates that half of the 2.5 million agricultural workers in the country do not have documents, but their work has been essential in these times of emergency.

Vicente Reyes was just 5 years old when he emigrated with his family to the United States in 2005. Once they settled in Bakersfield, the parents of the now young man began to work in the fields and soon after he began to accompany them and be part of the workforce .

The federal government estimates that half of the country’s 2.5 million farmworkers are undocumented. Among them are Reyes’ parents who since they arrived in the Central Valley of California have worked in the harvest of carrots, beets, oranges, table grapes, onion, lettuce, kale, mustard. Many times with low payments, without medical insurance and in poor environmental and health conditions.

Vicente Reyes, 20, is a farm worker and DACA recipient. (Supplied)

In 2012, Reyes qualified for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) which allowed him to continue his higher education. He is currently attending Bakersfield College and plans to transfer to a four-year college to become a robotics engineer.

However, as he strives for his long-term academic goals, he also continues to work in the present day in the agricultural fields of California.

The 20-year-old said he works primarily harvesting grapes in Bakersfield.

“I work on weekends, when I don’t have classes, and in the summer,” Reyes said.

Being able to experience life on both sides of the coin; education toward a better future and the hard work of the farm worker led Reyes to testify before the House Judiciary Committee to consider protection against deportation for essential undocumented farm workers.

“The work they do every day is very hard, many times they do not have labor representation and they do not know how to fight for their rights,” Reyes said. “Now that I’m in a little better situation with DACA, I want to speak for them.”

During the hearing that took place Wednesday, Reyes testified virtually urging the Judiciary Committee to recognize the essential contributions of the nation’s undocumented workers and consider a path to legalization.

For and against

Members of the judicial committee noted that since 2003, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified certain industries as critical to national security, including public health, agriculture and food processing.

“While many of us went into full-time work at home, these workers had to keep showing up in person,” said California Democratic Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. “Every day, they have risked their lives to ensure America is safe and has an abundant supply of food. They take care of our children, care for the elderly, disinfect our schools and public places, and a significant part of the essential work is made up of immigrant workers.

For his part, Colorado Republican Congressman Ken Buck recognized the hard work of legal immigrants and legal refugees in his state. He accepted that the work they do is difficult and important to keep the economy running, including vital food and agriculture services.

However, he stressed that “we have to recognize that illegal immigrants who have no role [legal] They shouldn’t be in this country and we are making a serious mistake when we don’t allow Americans to fill positions that are now being filled by illegal immigrants. “

The congressman said that while the country tries to regain its economic balance due to COVID-19 there are many Americans without jobs.

“We are doing a great disservice to this country as we continue to see the unemployment rolls grow as this country actively promotes sanctuary cities and big cities and policies that undermine the state.

Buck said it is not fair for Americans to have to queue to receive unemployment or welfare checks or obtain other forms of livelihood while the undocumented are working undermining the economy.

He indicated that quick action should be taken so that the undocumented leave the country.

“We should make sure our southern border is secure so we don’t allow more illegal immigrants to enter this country,” he said.

Reyes explained that hearing these comments from Congressman Buck caused him pain because surely he has not had an approach to the hard work that is done in the fields. Main reason why many Americans refuse to do it.

“Mr. Buck is not seeing that we are contributing to feed them while they are in their safe homes,” Reyes said. “We are the ones who work in the fields, hot or cold. Even now with the fires it becomes more dangerous, but that’s how you have to work ”.

Leydy Rangel, spokesperson for the United Farmer Workers (UFW) union, said that the main objective of this hearing was not for a vote but to start a conversation with the representatives of the Congress and that they know the work of the farmers from their own voice.

“These are the essential workers that work during COVID-19, many of them undocumented, and we want to see how they can help in the future,” Rangel said.

He added that they hope to continue this conversation in the future in the hope that it will be under a new presidential administration.

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