MoKan NAMA and the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City gathered for several hours May 29 to hear about immigration reform from five very knowledgeable panelists who were moderated by Allie Devine, Devine & Donley, LLC:

Suresh Ramamurthi, President, Yantra Services, Inc.

Craig Reggelbrugge, Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform

Sister Therese Bangert, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth

Chief James Hawkins, Garden City Police Department

Hon. Bob Holden, former Governor of Missouri

Immigration reform is one of the most challenging issues facing America today.  At least 50 percent, and as much as 70 to 80 percent, of the nation’s farm workers arrived illegally, according to labor and industry estimates.  Currently, a bipartisan bill (S.744) is being crafted to address this concern, as well as to secure the nation’s borders, improve legal immigration and offer eventual citizenship to millions of people now in the country illegally.

The diverse panelists touched on various aspects of this important issue, including the local business community, law enforcement, civic organizations and the political arena. This “main street” look allowed attendees to see the different sides of current immigration reform, and how it is affecting not only the current labor force in our Midwestern states, but the agricultural industry as a whole.