WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, Western Growers is taking a stand for what it believes in, joining together with other leading American business, manufacturing, and agricultural leaders to take part in a “Day of Action for Immigration Reform.”

Western Growers President Tom Nassif has long been a strong proponent of immigration reform. Over the 4th of July weekend he remarked to Wall Street Journal reporters that even "if we can't have comprehensive immigration reform, we still have to do something to solve the problem: We have too many people here on false documents."

Western Growers farms grow about half of America's fresh fruit and vegetables according to the Journal. Without a way to hire more documented workers, Nassif has noticed some farmers moving away from labor-intensive produce and towards crops that demand less human capital. If this trend continues "we will find that the cost of produce is going to be going extremely high, because people will not be able to afford to grow them," he said.

For the Day of Protest, Western Growers will be joined by:

• Thomas Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Jay Timmons, President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers
• John Engler, President of Business Roundtable and former Governor of Michigan
• John Stineman from the Partnership for a New American Economy. 

According to a press release, there will also be events staged in more than 60 congressional districts across 25 states in support of the Day of Action.

Those interested in learning more can follow the protest on Twitter through #ActOnImmigration.

Western Growers