Utah Sen. John Curtis proposes state-sponsored visa program for migrant workers

**Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Let States Sponsor Temporary Work Visas**

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced legislation that could reshape America's temporary immigration system by giving states a greater role in addressing local labor shortages.

The proposal, introduced by Utah Sen. John Curtis and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, would establish a voluntary pilot program allowing participating states to sponsor temporary work visas based on their individual workforce needs.

Supporters say the legislation is designed to help industries facing persistent labor shortages, including agriculture, construction, hospitality, manufacturing, and small businesses struggling to recruit enough workers.

Under the proposal, states would identify labor demands and recommend qualified applicants, while the federal government would continue to oversee security screening, background checks, visa approvals, and immigration enforcement.

The measure would also require visa holders to live and work within the state that sponsors them, although participating states could create interstate agreements allowing workers to move between approved states.

Unlike current visa programs that are managed almost entirely at the federal level, the new framework would give state governments greater flexibility to respond to regional economic conditions while maintaining federal oversight of immigration security.

Lawmakers backing the bill argue that states are better positioned to understand their workforce challenges and should have more influence in shaping temporary labor programs that match local economic priorities.

The proposal draws inspiration from a Utah immigration initiative approved more than a decade ago that never received federal authorization despite strong state-level support.

The legislation comes as many states continue to report worker shortages across essential industries, with employers increasingly warning that unfilled positions are slowing business growth and economic expansion.

If enacted, the pilot program could represent one of the most significant changes to the U.S. temporary visa system in years by creating a new partnership between state governments and federal immigration authorities while preserving national security standards.