A bill currently in the California state Legislature would give state work permits to thousands of illegal immigrants who are employed in the state already. Supporters of the bill say that immigration reform is needed, and this bill is start. The bill has support from both sides of the aisle, with Republicans who represent rural areas also supporting the bill. Estimates for the percentage of California farm workers who are undocumented range from a half to three-quarters of the workforce.
See "California immigration plan to legalize workers faces hurdles", Matt O'Brien, The Mercury News, May 10, 2012