Howard L. Berman

Many of the illegal residents in the United States work in agriculture. Some lawmakers have proposed creating or expanding programs in which workers from Mexico and other nations would be allowed to legally reside and work in the United States on a temporary basis. In the following viewpoint, Howard L. Berman, a California Democrat who has served as a member of the House of Representatives since 1982, opposes this idea. He argues that such a practice would drive down wages paid to farmworkers and would encourage “temporary” farmworkers to stay in the United States, resulting in a greater number of illegal immigrants. Berman concludes that employers should improve pay and working conditions to attract American workers.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. Is there a shortage of farm labor, according to Berman...