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Vermont looks to encourage legal immigration pathways
The bipartisan bill aims to address labor shortages by expanding immigrant access to licenses and supports, with a committee report due in 2026, Vermont officials said.
- The Vermont legislature created the New Americans Study Committee in May, which began meeting in September and is expected to release a report in 2026.
- After earlier guest-worker proposals failed, the Vermont legislature proposed the Vermont Farm Guest Worker Program, following a 2012 University of Vermont survey finding 83% support for a three-year guest worker program.
- In 2024, Vermont passed a law allowing approved immigrants to obtain licenses without a Social Security number, while the federal H-2A program's prevalence makes state-based farm certifications impractical.
- The committee was charged to study education, licensing, and housing for immigrant workers, with Sen. Becca White saying it's vital to employ professionals regardless of immigration status.
- In 2023, North Dakota's Office of New Americans offers a model, as other states with similar offices connect employers with immigrant workers to address regional workforce pressures.
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Total News Sources22
Leaning Left3Leaning Right3Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 25%
C 50%
R 25%
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