Dr. Ruiz Brings Together Dolores Huerta Foundation, United Farm Workers, and National and Local Advocacy Organizations for Farmworker Policy Roundtable

Washington D.C. - Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) convened a national farmworkers roundtable with leading advocates, including Dolores Huerta, President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, as well as representatives from Southern California organizations including TODEC Legal Center, Desert Healthcare District, FIND Food Bank, Lideres Campesinas, and University of California Riverside School of Medicine. As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Dr. Ruiz brought together advocates to identify solutions to the challenges facing farmworkers in Southern California and across the country, including immigration, labor practices, health care, education, and housing.

"Our farmworkers face incredible hardships. Already underserved, they experience abuse, family separation, and violation of their workplace rights," said Dr. Ruiz. "As essential workers, their vital contributions helped feed America during the pandemic. Growing up the son of farmworkers in the Coachella Valley, I understand the hardships and how critical farmworkers are to keeping our country running. It is an honor today for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to discuss with national and local advocacy organizations how we can continue to help our farmworkers--which includes calling on the Senate to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Now is the time to provide stability, predictability, and fairness to one of the most critical sectors of our nation's economy: nuestros campesinos."

Following the roundtable, Dr. Ruiz, Dolores Huerta, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Senator Alex Padilla, and Congressional Hispanic Caucus members called on the Senate to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which passed the House with bipartisan support last year. The bill would stabilize the agricultural sector and food supply chain by providing an earned pathway to legal status for farmworkers through the Certified Agricultural Worker (CAW) process.

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act would also ensure that farmers can fulfill their labor needs well into the future by reforming the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program to provide more flexibility for employers and ensure protections for workers.

Photos and video from today's roundtable and press conference are available here.

###