Immigration Crackdown in Georgia keeps migrants away

AFP: Crackdown in US state of Georgia keeps migrants away: "Farmers in the US state of Georgia say they are starting to feel the effects of a tough crackdown on illegal immigration -- a sudden dearth of migrant workers needed to bring in their harvests.

Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, said the labor pool of produce pickers has shrunk by 30 to 50 percent since passage of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act on April 20.

He said growers have told him that workers are bypassing Georgia to avoid police harassment and going to North Carolina, which is next in line during the growing season."