The Texas House is set to vote Friday on legislation to create a temporary guest worker program for laborers from Mexico, just as several bills aimed at curbing illegal immigration continue to languish without a vote.
House Bill 2858, authored by Democrat State Rep. Ray Lopez (San Antonio), would authorize the governor to seek federal approval to implement a state-run guest worker program. If approved by the federal government, the governor could then enter into a memorandum of understanding with Mexico to facilitate the migration of legal temporary workers to Texas under U.S. nonimmigrant visas.
According to the bill analysis, the effort is meant to ease ongoing labor shortages, particularly in sectors that rely on low-skilled or seasonal labor. Businesses seeking to hire guest workers must prove that no local workers are available and that hiring foreign labor would not undercut wages or working conditions.
The Mexican government would be responsible for screening workers, issuing secure IDs, and ensuring they return to Mexico at the end of their visas.
The proposal echoes a similar plan floated by President George W. Bush in 2004, which drew sharp criticism from conservatives who argued it would incentivize more illegal immigration and depress wages.
The bill earned unanimous approval from the House Calendars Committee.
The Texas GOP platform, meanwhile, explicitly calls for prioritizing American workers in the workforce. HB 2858, which seeks to import more foreign labor, is advancing even as legislation aimed at reducing incentives for illegal immigration is sidelined.
Legislation to mandate E-Verify and end in-state tuition for illegal aliens has not yet been set for a vote, despite being named Republican legislative priorities.
Thursday, May 15, is the last day for the chamber to consider House bills as the end of the regular legislative session quickly approaches.
