Cannon added that the blue card and H-2A visa programs would be closely watched. Applicants would go through a tight screening process and anyone with a criminal record would be ineligible. Once in either program, workers would have to provide proof that they are employed in agriculture for at least 150 working days per year, that they pay taxes and have no criminal record.

One farmer at Tuesday's meeting said the majority of immigrants come to the United States with only good intentions.

"Most of these people want to be really good citizens, probably 95 percent of them," said George Holmes, a dairy farmer from the Heber area. "They're coming here for the same reason my grandparents did, and that's to better the lives of their families."

Cannon said the Senate plans to debate the AgJobs bill in May. Members of the House of Representatives are quietly working on another version of the bill, he said, and he does expect some "arm twisting" when the two chambers meet in conference sessions. He did say, however, that he expects a bill to be ready and signed into law by Sept. 30.

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E-mail: jtwitchell@desnews.com