Mandate employers verify new employees' legal status, while increasing the number of work visas
Many people crossing the southern border illegally do so to work, because businesses will hire them. Undocumented workers make up about 10-15% of farming, construction, hotel and amusement park workforces. Work visas require an employer sponsor, proof US workers weren't available first, and equal pay for immigrants. A proposal would provide enough work visas to fully meet employer demand for migrant workers, substantially increasing the number of visas available each year.
Arguments For & Against
Pro Argument
Providing enough work visas to meet employer demand will greatly reduce illegal immigration by creating a legal path for workers and employers. It protects immigrant workers from exploitation since they would have legal status and could report abuses. It protects businesses from legal risk. It is an orderly, legal system.
Con Argument
Significantly increasing work visas will increase competition for jobs and put downward pressure on wages for American workers, especially those at the lower end of the income scale. We should require businesses to raise wages enough to attract American workers, rather than importing lower-cost labor.
Source document: Immigration_Quaire_Full_1024.pdf
| Type | Organization | Date | Nat | Rep | Dem | Gap | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New PPC Survey (2026) | Program for Public Consultation | February 2026 | 83% | 82% | 84% | 2% | favor |
| Deliberative Survey | Program for Public Consultation | October 2024 | 67% | 53% | 84% | 31% | favor |
| Deliberative Survey | Program for Public Consultation | October 2024 | 68% | 64% | 74% | 10% | favor |
| Deliberative Survey | Program for Public Consultation | October 2024 | 74% | 67% | 85% | 18% | favor |
| Deliberative Survey | Deliberative Democracy Lab | September 2019 | 77% | 66% | 87% | 21% | favor |
Program for Public Consultation — February 2026
To reduce the number of workers in the US illegally, a proposal has been put forward, which has two parts: 1) Require employers to use a government system called E-Verify to ensure that their workers are in the US legally; 2) Increase the number of work visas given out each year, provided there is a demand for workers.
Program for Public Consultation — October 2024
The Federal government providing enough work visas for migrant workers to meet the demand from employers for such workers. In the current environment this would mean substantially increasing the number of work visas. If the demand for workers in the US goes down, the number of work visas available would be reduced.
Program for Public Consultation — October 2024
Require employers, when hiring new employees, to use a government system–called E-Verify–to verify that the applicant has the legal right to work in the US.
Program for Public Consultation — October 2024
Would you favor or oppose the following package: Require employers to verify that all new hires have the legal right to work in the US – AND – Provide enough work visas to meet US employers' demand for migrant workers.
Deliberative Democracy Lab — September 2019
Increase the number of visas for low-skilled workers so enough workers can be hired for American industries that need them, like agriculture and service.
Related Policies
Create a path to legal status for long-term undocumented immigrants without a criminal record
77% national support
Create a path to citizenship for undocumented people brought to the US illegally as children
83% national support
Deport undocumented immigrants who have committed serious crimes
85% national support
Hire more immigration court judges and staff to speed up asylum cases
76% national support