Estimates of the number of illegal farm workers run as high as 800,000. The Senate bill would allow most of them to apply, essentially, for amnesty. If they worked in agriculture at least 1,040 hours or 180 days a year for five years, they'd be eligible for green cards. Then they could leave farm work for jobs in other industries. During the five years, they could stay in the USA no more than 300 days in any year but would be free to return home, to cross the border legally without hassle.
Growers say they're uneasy that illegal immigrants make up an ever-larger share of their workers.
After Congress passed a general amnesty for illegal immigrants in 1986, more than 1 million undocumented farm workers gained green cards. The Immigration and Naturalization Service doesn't seek out and deport illegal farm workers. Of 77 INS operations in Fresno County in the past 12 months, none was in agriculture, spokeswoman Sharon Rummery says. INS officials in Washington say the agency's priorities are illegal immigrants who commit crimes and smugglers who bring in immigrants. However, the GAO found that the prevalence of illegal workers leaves growers vulnerable to sudden labor shortages should INS target them.