Immigration Appeal & Ports Slow Return

Immigration Appeal & Ports Slow Return. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

Now that a tentative deal has been struck with the ports the task of getting things back to normal is beginning but it will take some time. There is of course an incredible backlog of cargo including ag products that needs to be cleared. The President spoke with the nation's governors and praised them for their help in getting the deal done.

OBAMA: I want to thank Governor Inslee and his fellow West Coast governors who've helped workers and management reach an agreement that reopened 29 ports and kept business flowing. That's going to make a big difference for the countries economy as a whole.

Agriculture alone saw an estimated $440 million worth of goods stalled each week by the contract dispute between the longshoremen and ports operators.

Speaking of the President, he says he's still confident that his immigration actions will ultimately be upheld in court, but would still like to see Congress pass immigration legislation. A federal judge ruled last week that Obama exceeded his legal authority with actions that would defer deportations for millions of migrants who are in the country illegally. Lawyers are appealing that decision while many analysts believe the issue is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. While defending his immigration actions, Obama also criticized congressional Republicans who would support a cut in the homeland security budget over the dispute.

That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.