Napa, Dependent on Migrant Labor, Crafts Its Own Immigration Policy
Despite a sweeping national crackdown, Napa County takes care of its vineyard workers, legal and not
This time of year, that means the workers are suckering vines — pulling off, by hand, tiny sprouts that might hinder the growth of healthy grapes.
Just as painstakingly, civic and business leaders in the county have been working on another key element of the harvest: cultivating their own immigration policy.
Federal laws prevent foreigners from residing or working in the United States without permission, and a sweeping national crackdown has been under way in recent years. A record 1 million illegal immigrants have been deported since President Barack Obama took office. Some states are more stringent. An Arizona law against hiring undocumented laborers was upheld Thursday by the United States Supreme Court.
But Napa is taking a different approach, providing affordable basic necessities for migrant workers — food, shelter and support — regardless of whether they are here legally or not.
The effort was born of compassion and practicality. Without migrant labor, most of it from Mexico, the wine producers in Napa would be hard pressed to fill a carafe, much less the valley’s 9 million annual cases.
Experts estimate that 8,000 to 12,000 illegal migrants reside (often seasonally) in Napa, although the number is impossible to confirm. Ten years ago, they could be found living in the woods in makeshift camps, sleeping on fetid mattresses and drinking from dirty streams. Today they receive subsidized housing, or can reside in three tidy dormitory complexes near St. Helena and Yountville where up to 180 workers pay $12 a day for room and board.
Luis V. Gutierrez, a Democratic congressman from Illinois and an advocate for immigration reform who visited St. Helena last month, called Napa’s approach “unique.”
“They’re being proactive in providing housing, providing counseling to the workers there,” Gutierrez said. “The immigrant community had a very strong fellowship with those around them.”
There is no federal financing for thumbing one’s nose at Washington policy, so Napa pays for its own efforts.
Vineyard owners pay an assessment of $10 per acre to help house and feed migrant fieldworkers, a program that costs more than $1 million a year. Financing and donations, including food, also come from county and municipal governments, churches, businesses, charities and concerned citizens — all contributing to a larger safety net that includes health care and job placement.
None of those involved appeared worried about running afoul of laws. Instead, they see a moral obligation.
jeffrey hannan
In northern california we know about taking care of our own, and the migrant labor force is a huge part that. Which leads me to a worthy plug for Clinic Olé, which provides low-cost healthcare for resident and migrant workers in Napa County: http://www.clinicole.org/home/about-us/
Ney Montenegro
Unfortunate to see credible reporters and newspapers following Congressman Gutierrez like he is a savior for the Latino community. Most likely his secret agenda is to destroy any chances for a comprehensive immigration reform.
Gutierrez's comments against Pres.Obama undermine the fact that the country was in an economic crisis when PresObama took office. So what should've been the President's priority? The economy or an immigration reform? That seems like a pretty clear answer to me....unless of course, you are Congressman Gutierrez.
Immigration laws just like any other federal laws in this country are supposed to be enforced by the President. So you vilify PresObama for doing his job?
Congressman Gutierrez's cry of "he broke his promise" is nothing but a political absurdity aimed at getting more media attention rather than passing an immigration reform or the DreamAct.
Gutierrez works in Congress and he knows that active voters is what moves politicians to write laws. So why instead of encouraging Latinos NOT TO VOTE, why doesn’t he organize Latinos to register to vote? Why doesn’t he encourage legal residents to become citizens? Because giving emotional speeches and marching to gain media attention is more glamorous than organizing Latinos to vote.
Gutierrez works in Congress and knows how the political system works so why would he advocate for Latinos to sit out during the elections. During an interview he said "‘You know what? There is a third option: We can refuse to participate'"
If that is the best strategy Gutierrez could come up with to pass immigration reform, then he should be voted out of office.
To Congressman Gutierrez: the passage of an immigration reform begins in Congress...so do your job!
MotherLodeBeth
How sad that American citizens who thru no fault of their own have in this economic down turn lost jobs, homes etc dont have the same benefits like room and board for $12 a day. And people wonder why there is such a hatred of big business who thumb their nose at the law. Like wine is even a necessity for life.
Ling-Ling YEH
The U.S. still has millions of unemployed low-skilled and unskilled workers. Why can't we give them fiscal incentitives to work on the farms? Is extending welfare/unemployment benefits the real solution?
Yeh Ling-Ling
Alliance for a Sustainable USA
Debbie Peachtree
Makes me feel even better about my decision to buy wine that was not bottled in California.
Mlaila Young
Labor contractors handle the employment.i seriously doubt they solicit the local employment office or conform to labor regulations like breaks and water and toilets which make non complainers a necessity. Local college students could do the work It's not any harder than playing baseball.But access to knowledge of worker rights is the BIG no-no.labor contractors don't want that even if the winery management do.
Gail Wadsworth
For research data on the topic of farm labor housing in Napa County, please see the report online by the California Institute for Rural Studies.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE DEMAND
FOR FARM WORKER HOUSING
IN NAPA COUNTY
http://www.cirsinc.org/Documents/Pub0307.1.PDF