California Riding Magazine • July, 2009

Riding Reader Writes…
Immigration Issues
Proposed laws and changes affect
all in the equine industry.

by Nancy Fuller-Jacobs

I began riding horses at the age of 10 and began showing in Orange County shortly thereafter. Throughout the years, I have been grateful for all of the hard work and dedication to the industry that grooms, exercise riders and other support staff have provided. As we all know many of these dedicated and hard working people are from outside of the United States.

I have been practicing immigration law for close to 25 years and have seen first hand the struggles that owners, trainers and support staff have gone through in order to keep those individuals, who are the back bone of the entire equine industry, properly documented and working in the United States.

Now more than ever, members of the equine industry must join forces and fight for more sensible U.S. immigration laws for our valuable employees. We must give those who work so hard to support us the respect they have earned.

I believe the best vehicle of representation to further this goal is though the American Horse Council in Washington D.C. and Senator Diane Feinstein’s office. I have recently had several conversations with both offices regarding these pressing issues.

The American Horse Council (AHC) is the strongest voice for the equine industry on Capital Hill. There are several equine related immigration bills the AHC is supporting. The most urgent is the Ag Jobs Bill, which is scheduled to go before the House and Senate for debate before summer recess. Senator Feinstein’s office is putting the bill before Congress. Senator Feinstein was also the greatest advocate of the 2006 Compete Act, which governs P-1 Athlete and P-1 Support visas.

The Director of Membership for the AHC would be “very pleased” if those wishing to join would do so at the $100 Congressional Level. To join, visit www.horsecouncil.org or call the organization at 202-296-4031.

Clients of this firm, show jumper Mandy Porter and dressage competitors Shannon and Steffen Peters, have joined the AHC to assist in its efforts for more sensible U.S. immigration laws for the equine industry. I encourage you to do the same.

Nancy Fuller-Jacobs has been practicing immigration law for almost 25 years, concentrating her practice in representing show barns and farms. She welcomes questions and can be reached at 760-635-2502 or through the firm’s website at www.nfjlaw.com.