PHARR, Texas - Rio Grande Guardian International News Service columnist Samuel Freeman has praised Dante L. Galeazzi for a recent op-ed he penned on the need for immigration reform.
Galeazzi is CEO and president of the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA).
“Your column in the Rio Grande Guardian is superb. Thank you for taking the time to write such an excellent article. You definitely did your research,” Freeman, pictured above, told Galeazzi.
Galeazzi’s op-ed was titled: "Let’s Build a Resilient Economy. Let’s Improve Immigration Policy." In the column, Galeazzi argued that immigrants are vital to Texas’ success.
“As a state so heavily impacted by immigration policies, it would be welcoming to see our congressional leaders pass reforms that benefit Texans, the immigration process and our economy,” Galeazzi wrote.
“However, lawmakers struggle to take true bipartisan action on immigration and every year they fail to cross the finish line.”
Galeazzi said TIPA sees firsthand the effect that immigrants in the Lone Star state have on ensuring that its critical industries achieve optimum success.
“Immigrants in our state make up 22% of the restaurant and food services industry. In the fields where we grow more than 60 different fruit and vegetable crops in Texas, a vast majority of the workers are immigrants,” Galeazzi wrote.
“And as someone who worked in the fields for several years, let me tell you that American born citizens are not lining up to do this work.”
Freeman, a writer and retired educator, said there was one piece of information Galeazzi could have added to his op-ed that would have provided even greater justification for a comprehensive revision of US immigration laws.
“We have reached a tipping point where deaths out number births,” Freeman said. “That means, we have a declining population."
Freeman continued: “The only way to stabilize our population is immigration; and immigration certainly is the only way to increase our population.”
Freeman said that as Galeazzi noted, “we currently have almost twice the number of job openings as the number of people who are unemployed. As the death rate continues to increase and the birth rate continues to decline, this situation only will get worse unless we repeal our antiquated immigration laws and write laws that facilitate immigration to our magnificent nation.”
Freeman said the by offering more piece of information that Galeazzi could have added, he was in no way being critical of the column.
“As I said, it is superb,” Freeman told Galeazzi. “Thank you. I wish you well.”
Galeazzi said Freeman makes an excellent point.
“As I find myself frequently providing input on this topic, I will absolutely mention the imbalance of birth vs death rates and the impact that has on the future of the US labor force. Any point that furthers the need for immigration (reform) is a worthy addition,” Galeazzi said.
“And thank you very much for the kind words regarding the article - very much appreciated, sir.”
Editor’s Note: Click here to read Galeazzi’s column.
