Now Reading: US senators propose state-sponsored temporary visas for foreign workers
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US senators propose state-sponsored temporary visas for foreign workers
US senators propose state-sponsored temporary visas for foreign workers
US senators John Curtis, a Republican, and Mark Kelly, a Democrat, have introduced a bill allowing states to sponsor temporary foreign workers for local labour shortages, Hindustan Times reports. The State-Sponsored Visa…
The Story in Brief
US senators John Curtis, a Republican, and Mark Kelly, a Democrat, have introduced a bill allowing states to sponsor temporary foreign workers for local labour shortages, Hindustan Times reports. The State-Sponsored Visa Pilot Program Act of 2026 would require state legislative approval and let states identify sectors facing shortages.
Federal authorities would retain security screening, visa decisions and immigration enforcement. Workers would generally live and work in the sponsoring state, with visas lasting up to three years and possible renewals. The bill proposes wage and job protections and does not favour any nationality. Similar proposals in 2017 and 2019 did not advance, while a 2011 Utah framework never took effect.
The Indian Opinion
Claims that the proposal creates an open US route for Indians are premature. The bill still needs approval from both chambers of Congress, and its visa limits, participating states and final rules are unknown. Nor should its labour rationale be dismissed, since some states may face real shortages. The fair test is whether the final law protects local wages and workers while filling clearly documented vacancies.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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