New York Congressman Says Vegetables Would Rot in the Ground If Not for Illegal Immigrants

New York Congressman Says Vegetables Would Rot in the Ground If Not for Illegal Immigrants
Immigrant Farm Workers, photo by Randy Fletcher

Congressman Nadler Highlights Role of Immigrants in Agriculture and Economy

NEW YORK, NY – Congressman Jerry Nadler of New York recently emphasized the crucial role of immigrants, including undocumented individuals, in the U.S. agriculture sector. In his statement, Nadler pointed out that without the labor provided by many immigrants, essential agricultural produce like vegetables would potentially remain unharvested, leading to significant wastage.

“”We need immigrants in this country. Forget the fact that the farms that produce our vegetables would see their crops rot in the ground if they weren’t being picked by many immigrants, including many undocumented immigrants,” he said. “The fact is, the birth rate in this country is way below the replacement level, which means our population is going to start shrinking. Consequently, the ratio of people on Social Security and Medicare is going to increase relative to the number of people supporting them.”

Nadler also addressed broader demographic and economic issues, noting the declining birth rate in the United States. He highlighted the potential impact of this trend on the country’s population growth and the increasing burden on social welfare systems like Social Security and Medicare. According to Nadler, the decreasing ratio of working-age individuals to those dependent on social benefits underscores the importance of immigrants in sustaining the workforce and supporting the economy.

The Congressman’s remarks bring to the forefront the essential contributions of immigrants to critical sectors of the U.S. economy and their role in addressing demographic challenges. Nadler’s statement reflects the ongoing debate about immigration policy and its implications for various aspects of American life.