Bakersfield Californian 

UFW cheers reintroduction of immigration legislation

The United Farm Workers on Thursday cheered the reintroduction of federal immigration reform legislation aimed at helping farmworkers become legal citizens and improving the guest worker program.

"It was something we attempted to do last year. Hopefully with the new congress we'll have success this year," said UFW spokesman Armando Elenes. "We have to have different approaches than just enforcement. (Farmworkers are) a vital part of the economy and we need to recognize that."

The legislation is being brought forward by a bipartisan coalition of legislators Elenes said, including California Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer.