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by Andrew Rice, for The Center Square
(The Center Square) – The Vermont legislature is looking toward legal immigration pathways to address labor shortages throughout the state.
Vermont passed a bipartisan bill in May calling for the creation of the New Americans Study Committee in order to make recommendations on a forthcoming Office of New Americans.
The committee is required to develop a summary of economic data regarding immigrants in Vermont and provide recommendations for how to improve immigrant services. The bill specifically called on the committee to study education and training institutions, professional licensing and housing support for immigrants.
Jill Martin Diaz, executive director of the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project, voiced support for the bill. Diaz cited workforce shortages in Vermont to support the legislature’s study.
“Immigrants are [Vermont’s] fastest growing working age demographic and vital to [Vermont’s] economy and future,” Diaz wrote in support of the bill.
Diaz also said immigrants face issues when receiving licenses, certifications, and education to pursue careers because legal pathways are not readily available.
The New Americans Study Committee began meeting in September to address these issues and is expected to release its report in 2026.
The passage of a bill to address legal pathways in Vermont builds on years of attempts to navigate the federal immigration process.
In 2024, Vermont passed a law allowing approved immigrants to obtain certain professional licenses or certifications, regardless of immigration status. Under the law, immigrants do not have to provide a Social Security number as part of a license or certification process.
“We all know the challenges of our shrinking workforce and the need to maximize our state’s economic potential by employing professionals in occupations that best align with their skills and training, regardless of their immigration status,” said Sen. Becca White, D-Windsor.
In 2012, the Vermont legislature introduced a proposal to overhaul the federal agricultural worker program in place of one that is state-based.
The “Vermont Farm Guest Worker Program” would have allowed noncitizens working on farms in Vermont to register with the state’s agricultural agency. The legislation attempted to give farm workers identification and work authorization to continue working on Vermont farms.
A 2012 survey from the University of Vermont found that 83% of respondents supported a three-year guest worker program in Vermont. However, the bill was not passed in its original form to provide work authorizations for immigrant agricultural workers.
With the prevalence of the federal H-2A program for immigrant agricultural workers across the country, a path forward to create state-based certifications for workers in Vermont does not appear feasible.
While Vermont’s guest worker program did not pass, state legislation aimed at promoting an Office of New Americans appears to be the way forward. Other states across the country have implemented similar offices aimed at educating immigrant workers and employers seeking foreign labor.
North Dakota’s Global Talent Office was established in 2023 to connect state employers with immigrant workers. The office is supported by state funds in order to connect immigrant workers to employers across North Dakota.
“North Dakota’s rural geography and smaller population base makes it harder to attract and retain skilled workers, especially in specialized sectors like healthcare, manufacturing and skilled trades,” said Kim Schmidt, communications manager for the Global Talent Office.
Vermont appears willing to join North Dakota as it seeks to engage the community with solutions through the Office of New Americans.
“[Vermont] will join roughly half the states in leveraging existing research, growing partnerships, and legislative momentum to secure Vermont’s long-term economic growth through coordinated workforce integration,” Diaz said.
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Categories: Business, State Government
I’m sorry but, shouldn’t we be investing in Vermonter’s first, then helping everyone else? And why are we investing in the “fastest growing working age demographic”, and not raising up the workers already here. The problem is not a lack of workers, it’s a lack of motivation. Stop giving handouts, cut back and force people to work. If you can make more on welfare than working 40 hours, why would you work hard enough to get off said help? This is really simple. Must be the revolving door of grants, benefits, and greased palms dont really want anyone to get out from under the government control set in place.
You didn’t get the memo? Vermont needs to continue its mission to force racial and ethnic and cultural diversity. Vermont is far too “white” and was far too safe. And everyone with any sense knows how intrinsically evil white people are. “Native” and long-term law-abiding, taxpaying Vermonters are of no consequence to these social engineers.
More “migrants” being pulled out of cultures and countries so disparate from the western world and then Americans, with our own culture, are expected to assimilate to theirs. Recall the African dance troupe brought to Montpelier to celebrate the July 4th holiday a few years back? Kinda like that. But 24/7. And the illegal immigrants will continue to be fiercely shielded under this program but of course. Show us the bill.
Look at how successful and greatly improved cities such as Burlington have become after adopted this crusade. Please learn to demonstrate proper veneration to the lowest common denominator. It will make this all so much easier on you all.
Treason
In 2024, Vermont passed a law allowing approved immigrants to obtain certain professional licenses or certifications, regardless of immigration status. Under the law, immigrants do not have to provide a Social Security number as part of a license or certification process.
But VERMONTERS MUST DO IT!!!!!!
How is this even legal?
How is this even reasonable?
How about this……all the immigrants have to first fill in the following fields of employment, government, education and healthcare…..fire 30% of the work force for immigrants who don’t have social security numbers to work in these fields.
How many would vote for that? See those are protected monopolies by Montpelier……if we had immigration working in those fields our state would be closed up immediately for immigrants.
But for the rest of us, working ski areas, restaurants, retail, etc, etc. you’re being replaced by illegal immigrants.
Why isn’t anyone in Montpelier speaking out against this? There also lies the answer.
Because Montpelier is in on it.
Bingo
Labor shortages? WHERE??? There are no jobs. (At least the legal, published ones) Yes, lots of RN and medical/dental positions, but we are definitely lacking regular blue collar employment. We need to bring the businesses and companies back first.
Don’t forget the massive housing “shortage” too!
Vermont supposedly needs tens of thousands of units pronto!
For WHOM?? In a population that is slowly declining or at the very least stagnant.
Exact population numbers are difficult to come by…..wonder why.
Encouraging more immigrants to Vermont is like toasting a law school graduation.
Rules and laws that elevate one group over another is called discrimination. The progressive legislature is seemingly dividing the people they are supposed to represent. The immigrants do not pay your salary, Vermont citizens do. Start representing Vermonters or loose your position. Start a revolution by carrying out your duty to uphold and support the Constitution; remember that silly oath you took. What are the penalties for maladministration?
legislative momentum to secure Vermont’s long-term economic growth through coordinated workforce integration,
Marxist decoder ring needed….
We are replacing Vermonters with cheap labor from other countries.
Coincidentally it will not include anyone in education, ever notice that?
Neil, we currently have a 2.5% unemployment rate in Vermont. Where exactly are Vermonters being replaced with foreign labor? I’ll settle for one place. Where I sit at the base of Killington, there are many hotels, restaurants, and Killington itself that are running at about 80% of capacity without our foreign labor. Which is funny because foreigners aren’t allowed here for the winter, but they are still allowed to polish golf clubs at Mar-a-Lago. You seem to use the word Marxist to describe anything that you don’t like.
Let’s not forget the fact recently highlighted by the 6 week federal shutdown that fully 10% of Vermonters are on food stamps. How can anyone possibly encourage importing more cheap labor until we lower that number towards zero? The unemployment numbers are a faulty gauge, and at best do not reflect the underemployed or cost of living issues we face.
When there is no longer any citizen on the dole or any welfare program I would champion this program in every corner in the state. Until then big NO.