Bill Overview
Title: Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act
Description: This bill establishes a new nonimmigrant visa for temporary nonagricultural workers (H-2C visa) to fill jobs that have remained open for a certain amount of time and are located in an area where the unemployment rate is 7.9% or less. This visa shall only be available for certain occupations, and those requiring a bachelor's degree or higher level of education shall not be eligible. The bill imposes various requirements related to H-2C positions, such as requiring that the employer make certain efforts to recruit a U.S. worker beforehand. The employer must register the opening before filling it with an H-2C worker, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall maintain a publicly available registry of registered positions. For the first fiscal year after the bill's enactment, no more than 65,000 positions may be registered. For subsequent fiscal years, the number shall be increased or decreased depending on how many positions were registered the previous year and how quickly the allotment was filled. A certain number of allocations shall be reserved for small businesses. An employer seeking to hire H-2C workers shall register with DHS and provide documentation establishing that the employer meets various qualifications. An employer may become ineligible for registration for certain actions, such as having been penalized for a pattern of willful violation of wage and hour laws. H-2C workers shall not be entitled to certain federal public benefits. The Bureau of the Census shall report to Congress on the impact of the H-2C program.
Sponsors: Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11]
Target Audience
Population: Temporary Nonagricultural Foreign Workers
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill creates a new visa category (H-2C) for nonagricultural workers to fill certain job vacancies, suggesting the target includes temporary foreign workers.
- The bill specifies that these positions must be in areas with an unemployment rate at or below 7.9%, so it primarily targets regions with relatively low unemployment rates.
- The annual cap for the first fiscal year is 65,000 visa positions, indicating a suggested scope for potential foreign worker impact.
- It focuses on filling positions with certain necessities, excluding those requiring a bachelor's degree or higher, which suggests it targets low to medium-skilled job categories and workers.
- By reserving visa allocations for small businesses, it targets smaller employers who may struggle to fill vacancies with domestic workers.
Reasoning
- The bill is aimed at addressing labor shortages in certain low to medium-skilled job categories, suggesting the most substantial impacts would be in these sectors.
- With an initial cap of 65,000 visas, the policy is designed not to overly saturate the market, allowing for targeted implementation.
- Regions with unemployment rates of 7.9% or lower will see the most activity, implying minimal direct effects in high-unemployment areas.
- By prioritizing small businesses, the policy may help these employers remain competitive, possibly improving their operational capacity and local economic contributions.
- The exclusion of positions requiring a bachelor's degree targets industries that do not demand high educational attainment, potentially affecting industries like hospitality, construction, and retail.
Simulated Interviews
Construction laborer (Austin, Texas)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm a bit worried about more competition for the jobs I usually go for.
- If these foreign workers bring their families, there might also be pressure on public services.
- I think it could help fill jobs that locals don't want, which could be good for our overall economy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retail Manager (Des Moines, Iowa)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that this policy provides us with more candidates for our open positions.
- There's always a concern about more competition driving down wages, but it's more about filling vacancies.
- It will help businesses like ours stay competitive in an ever-changing market.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Small business owner (cafe) (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this could be good for small businesses like mine that struggle to fill certain positions.
- It will be essential to ensure foreign workers are treated fairly and receive equal opportunities.
- The program offers an opportunity but also a challenge in finding and integrating these workers smoothly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Hotel Front Desk Agent (Miami, Florida)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We see high turnover in our industry, so this could stabilize staffing issues.
- As long as the focus remains on filling jobs that are truly open, it could benefit our community.
- There's worry among some peers about job security, but it could also increase business by keeping operational staffing levels stable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Server at a restaurant (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about job security, especially with rising living costs.
- My hope is that this policy could help fill gaps in employment, making our jobs easier.
- It's tricky, as it might help the economy, but it could also make personal situations more competitive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Construction site manager (Birmingham, Alabama)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen projects stall because of labor shortages, so this could be beneficial.
- However, it's essential not to undercut the wages of those already working here.
- Balancing interests of existing workers and newcomers will be tricky but important.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Food processing plant worker (Nashville, Tennessee)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I fear wage impacts, but there's a lot of work that goes unfilled.
- If implemented thoughtfully, it can support our industries rather than displace workers.
- It's all about creating a system that supports everyone equally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 4 |
Warehouse supervisor (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We are always in need of more hands, and recruitment has been challenging.
- Such policies, if managed well, could benefit employment stability.
- Certainly, a hope is that it won't reduce the likelihood of wage increases for long-term staff.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retail associate (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see many vacancies where I work, so the policy might help fill roles faster.
- I'm cautious about the implications on wage growth and job security.
- Balanced and well-implemented policies can create a more resilient job market.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Artisan bakery owner (Brooklyn, New York)
Age: 55 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finding specialized workers is tough, so this policy might open new avenues.
- It's important to ensure the community feels engaged and not displaced by new-incoming workers.
- I hope the program doesn't add bureaucratic hurdles for small businesses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $75000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $90000000)
Year 2: $80000000 (Low: $64000000, High: $96000000)
Year 3: $85000000 (Low: $68000000, High: $102000000)
Year 5: $95000000 (Low: $76000000, High: $114000000)
Year 10: $120000000 (Low: $96000000, High: $144000000)
Year 100: $120000000 (Low: $96000000, High: $144000000)
Key Considerations
- The scalability of the program affects the cost, depending on how many visas are utilized annually beyond the initial 65,000 cap.
- Compliance and monitoring costs will fluctuate based on employers' adherence to recruitment requirements and registration processes.
- Workers ineligible for federal benefits still interact with local public services, which may create indirect fiscal impacts.