Senators Curtis and Kelly Introduce Bill for State-Run Migrant Worker Visas

Senator John Curtis of Utah and Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona introduced a bill that would permit individual states to run their own temporary migrant worker visa programs, aiming to fill gaps in sectors such as agriculture and ranching. The legislation creates a new non-immigrant class covering workers, investors and their spouses and minor children for up to three years, with each state defining its own eligibility rules under Department of Homeland Security oversight.

Annual caps would limit state-sponsored visas to 5,000, plus a proportional share of a 245,000-visa national pool based on population and compliance metrics. Applicants must undergo rigorous background checks, and states could require a refundable bond to ensure departure, with penalties for overstays. A provision also grants a conditional route to legal residency for undocumented individuals present since December 31, 2016, contingent on a $1,000 penalty and security clearance. If enacted, the measure would represent a significant shift from federal-centric immigration control to a more localized, demand-driven model.