The AGC-backed Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act is a bipartisan attempt to provide a legal immigration option to meet projected future workforce needs and help secure the U.S. border.

The U.S. immigration system is broken, placing national security in jeopardy, leaving thousands of current construction workers’ uncertain futures in the hands of the court system, and leaving no legal option for lesser skilled immigrants to meet workforce needs. All these factors have contributed to the industry’s workforce shortage.

While immigration is a complex issue that impacts many individuals, industries, and employers, the issues are too important for another decade of inaction. In response to the challenges, AGC has long supported the creation of a new temporary visa program to address workforce needs and curb illegal immigration. Under the current legal system, immigration visas exist for seasonal workers, seasonal agriculture work, and highly skilled workers, but there is no legal option for lesser skilled immigrants to meet current or projected future workforce needs in the construction industry.

The recently introduced Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act is a bipartisan attempt to provide a legal immigration option to meet projected future workforce needs and secure the border by stopping illegal immigrants enticed by work opportunities. H.R. 3734 would create a new market-driven, temporary immigration visa program for less skilled, year-round, non-agriculture occupations. AGC encourages its consideration in any legislative attempts to reform the nation’s immigration laws.