What has been on my mind? Migrant labor. As I found out about 6 months ago, I have been blissfully ignorant to one of the largest stories in the county. Monroe county, and the neighboring Wayne county, both support large numbers of migrant workers who come to pick the fruit and vegetables that are grown here. I have been working on immigration reform and documentary work in the area for the past 6 months, which has been frustrating, hard, intense, interesting and fun.

Not only do these people come long, long distances to work, they do not plan on staying. They do not cause trouble. They do not take jobs away: in fact, every farmer I have spoken with has said that they have begged, pleaded, and dragged American workers to the fields, only to have them quit after a few days. Despite these facts, there remains a good amount of negative press about migrant workers, and their role in society.

I am concerned that the upcoming "immigration reform" will do nothing to help, and that the debate around immigration will become bogged down in lies and assumptions. Perhaps I am naive in thinking that my own documentary and academic work will somehow effect how people think about migrant workers, and will help some see how the situation is. For those who are reading this, please check back for updates. If you are looking for more information on this subject please see:

Food, Inc. (film)
With These Hands (book)
NYCLU Immigration Reform (website)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14509724 (radio piece)