Measure Gives Undocumented Farm Workers Shot at Legal Permanent Status.

Sep. 24--WASHINGTON--Farmers and farm workers on Tuesday unveiled a potentially groundbreaking compromise that offers hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants the prospect of becoming legal U.S. residents.

Following years of discussions that got sidetracked by terrorism fears and stuck on some perennial controversies, negotiators Tuesday presented what they uniformly described as a historic deal. The new legislation gives farmers streamlined access to foreign workers, and gives farm workers a fresh shot at precious green cards.

"This fundamentally changes the dynamic of farm labor in America," United Farm Workers of America President Arturo Rodriguez said at a jam-packed Capitol Hill news conference. "It frees farm workers so they can finally join American society rather than hide in the shadows."

In a telling sign of unity, Rodriguez was flanked by conservative Republicans and representatives of the politically potent agriculture industry. All are backing the legislation that supporters will try to get to President Bush's desk by the end of the year.

The measure, introduced in both the House and Senate, gives undocumented farm workers the chance to earn legal permanent status if they agree to keep working in agriculture for a while. The bill also makes it easier to bring in foreign workers through the H-2A program, which in its current form has been largely shunned by California farmers.

The new residency program covers illegal immigrants who can prove they've worked in agriculture for 100 or more days in the 18 months prior to Aug. 31. They must agree to keeping working in agriculture at least another 360 days over the next six years.

"It's a thoughtful compromise that has required give and take from both sides," said Bob Vice, former president of the California Farm Bureau Federation and now a voice for agricultural employers.