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No one knows the Wisconsin labor markets demand for foreign guest workers better than Wisconsin does.

That is the solid foundation on which Congress should allow states to build their own guest worker visa programs. Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson and Colorado Rep. Ken Buck, both Republicans, have introduced a bill to do just that, the State Sponsored Visa Pilot Program.

We need to recognize that a one-size-fits-all federal model for visas or guest workers doesnt work, Johnson said.

Hes right. The current federal guest worker visa program could scarcely have been designed more contrary to the dairy states interests than if it had been devised specifically as an anti-Wisconsin policy.

Consider the farm guest worker visa program, called H-2A. It is designed to allow seasonal workers to harvest fruit and vegetable crops. Visas are generally for one to 10 months. Half of the 150,000-or-so H-2A visa workers are employed in five states: Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Washington and California.

The visa virtually ignores the needs of Wisconsins $43 billion-a-year dairy industry. Because of a dearth of American workers interested in dairy farm jobs, immigrant workers make up nearly half of all dairy farm employees in Wisconsin. But unlike the fruit and vegetable farms covered by the H-2A program, dairy farms are not seasonal. They need a visa program that allows workers to be employed 365 days a year.

Despite repeated pleas for change, Congress has failed to act because at the federal level interests are so politically divided that almost no immigration reform is possible. As a result, a high percentage of the foreign workers on Wisconsin dairy farms are estimated to be here illegally. Thats unfair to everyone.

Dairy farmers are not alone. Wisconsins technology, tourism and construction businesses would all benefit from a better visa program that helps employers cope with labor shortages by hiring foreign talent.

The visa proposal from Sen. Johnson and Rep. Buck would give any state the freedom to select and sponsor foreign workers for temporary work visas covering three years, with eligibility for renewal. Visa holders could work anywhere in the sponsoring state. States could form interstate compacts to share guest workers all under the watchful eye of the federal Department of Homeland Security, which would have to approve all visas. By choosing how many and which foreign workers to sponsor, states would also be able to protect citizens from unfair employment competition.

Though Wisconsin would be a prime beneficiary, the bill deserves widespread support. Utah already tried to start its own visa program, only to suffer federal rejection. California, Texas and a handful of other states have debated legislation.

Giving more power over immigration to states is successful elsewhere. Canada and Australia have laws allowing provinces and states to operate their own visa programs.

Allowing states to address their own foreign worker problems by making decisions that suit their particular circumstances should produce better solutions. Let the State Sponsored Visa Pilot Program become law.

Link:
State Journal editorial: Let states tackle immigration reform - Madison.com