Last week I found myself back in the vineyards for an assignment about vineyard workers. I had forgotten how beautiful it is up there and how i miss working in this area, particularly doing stories around the migrant population and winemaking.
I was up real early to beat the approaching rain storm that would have cancelled any work that morning. Luckily it was only sprinkling and the storm gave me a an hour and half before it began to dump big drops of rain.
To read the column, click here:
Napa takes Care of Migrant Workers
US immigration policy has become so complicated and upside down that politicians just can't figure out a more efficient system to allow migrants from Central America and Mexico work legally in the U.S. Although there is a work visa, H2A, the red tape and paper work make it very daunting and nearly impossible for any company to provide visas for their workers.
Many migrant workers would tell you simply that they would much rather work legally, although most from the Napa Valley pay income tax, and have a safer journey from Mexico then the dangerous crossing that they have been doing for decades. Many Americans complain that they take away jobs from citizens, but many of those same people refuse to work these jobs the migrants do. It is a complicated and emotional issue for both sides, but the Napa Valley has figured out a way to make it work for them and the multi-million dollar wine industry.
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