WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- A powerful group of bipartisan lawmakers wants to give temporary legal residency to some 500,000 undocumented farm workers, the Los Angeles Times reported.
To qualify for temporary legal status workers would have to prove 100 days of agricultural employment in the 18-month period that ended Aug. 31 and meet certain other conditions under a bill submitted to Congress this week.
Then, to obtain a green card, which signifies permanent residence in the United States, they would have to show 360 days of additional farm work over the next six years.
President George Bush has not taken a position on the proposal, which is sponsored by Sens. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Larry E. Craig, R-Idaho, and Reps. Howard L. Berman, D-Calif., and Chris Cannon, R-Utah.
Craig said he was confident Bush would sign the bill if it reached his desk.
