hoisted by their own petard

from our state rep's legislative report:

The negative economic impact of Georgia's newly enacted immigration enforcement law on the state's farmers is estimated at $391 million, according to a recent study conducted by the University of Georgia's Center for Agribusiness Development.

 The study, commissioned by the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, attributed the damage to crop losses caused by labor shortages in the harvest and packing process. Media reports have revealed crops rotting in the fields or being plowed under because Georgia farmers could not hire enough migrant workers to pick the fruits and vegetables.

Total crop losses since the law was passed earlier this year are estimated at $75 million. The UGA study noted, "Calculated on an annual basis, the Spring 2011 berry and vegetable production resulted in an additional $106.5 million lost in other goods and services in Georgia's economy, putting the combined impact at about $181.5 million. Assuming the grower responses in the study are representative of all growers for the seven crops analyzed, the total yearly economic impact would be approximately $391 million, and the job loss would be about 3,260 on a statewide basis."

The association's executive director, Charlie Hall, said, "Georgia is the poster child for what can happen when mandatory e-verify and enforcement legislation is passed without an adequate guest worker program.