Farmers say Ala immigration law could cost crops

GOOD HOPE, Ala. - Farmers are asking legislators to make emergency changes to Alabama's tough new law against illegal immigration.

Meeting with three lawmakers in rural Cullman County on Monday, farmers said valuable crops are at risk in coming weeks because of a sudden lack of hands for harvest. They say they rely on immigrant workers for help in the fields because Americans won't do the work, and many already have left the state because of the law.

Similar concerns have been expressed by farmers in Georgia over Georgia's tough new immigration law.

The lawmakers say they can't do anything to the law right now, and it may be months before it can be changed.

Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Wayne Walker says state officials fear losses related to the law could run into the tens of millions of dollars if farmers can't find enough help.