WASHINGTON: Guest worker program gains popularity but could lead to discord (Illegal Cheap Labor Slaves vs. Legal Cheap Labor Slaves)

Yakima Herald-Republic

WASHINGTON -- New statewide numbers show that growers are increasingly more comfortable with a federal guest worker program that allows them to hire documented foreign help instead of local workers who may not have legal immigration status.

But with a growing H-2A program, some employers are worried about possible tensions between the two groups of workers: the illegal immigrants who have traditionally worked the harvest and the foreign workers who may get preference in the hiring process.

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Posted by tyne at May 14, 2008