Under the proposal, the H-2A visa category for agricultural workers would be reformed to add flexibility for employers bringing in new foreign labor.

The bill would allow foreign workers who've worked in the U.S. agricultural sector for at least 180 days over the past two years to request five-year visas for themselves, their spouses and their minor children.

Those visas would be renewable for workers who prove they've worked in agriculture for more than 100 hours per year.

And some beneficiaries would be amenable to legal permanent residence, the prelude to citizenship, by paying a $1,000 fine.

Lofgren and Newhouse both underscored the idea that the bill "is not perfect," but said it's a good compromise for all sides.

"You know why this is possible?" said Díaz-Balart at a press conference celebrating the bill's passage.

"Because of [Lofgren's] honorability, her credibility, and the fact that whether you agree with her or not, you can trust her," said Díaz-Balart, a veteran of several high-profile immigration negotiations over more than 15 years.

It's unclear when or if the Senate will take up the bill, although Senators on both sides of the aisle are expecting pressure from the agricultural industry and workers' groups to move it forward.

And the White House has remained quiet on the bill, although both Newhouse and LaMalfa have been in contact with administration officials.

"We've been working with the administration to make sure that we're at least getting close to something that they could support," said Newhouse.

"There's no position statement at all whatsoever, they're continuing to keep an open mind, that's great, we want to continue working with them," he added.

https://thehill.com/latino/474210-ho...f-undocumented