Arizona Farm Bureau thanks Arizona Senators Flake and McCain for their efforts and leadership and applaud the U.S. Senate for passing immigration reform legislation yesterday by a vote of 68-32.

"The Senate's passage of an immigration reform bill that includes a fair and workable farm labor provision was a long time in coming but is welcomed," says Arizona Farm Bureau President Kevin Rogers. "Of most importance to us is an agricultural labor component that works for agriculture and helps secure the border. We commend Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake for addressing these very important issues.

"Passing Senate bill 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, is the first step to reform our broken immigration system and ensure that agriculture has access to a stable and legal workforce. We look forward to working with our Arizona House of Representatives delegation as they move forward with their version of reform.

"This reform has even more security at our border, and helps shape an improved American economy. I'd encourage interested parties to study the security part of the bill as it significantly increases surveillance of high-risk areas along our borders. Also, we believe that one of the best ways to improve border security is to create a legal, reliable way for needed farm workers to enter our country."