Leaders of the AFL-CIO and Change to Win labor federations have announced a proposed framework for reforming the U.S. immigration system, a key feature of which is the formation of an independent commission to evaluate how many immigrants should be admitted to fill temporary and permanent jobs without displacing U.S. workers. As reported in The Wall Street Journal, the unions contend that the current visa levels are outdated and often keep immigrant workers in temporary status, with fewer benefits and job protections. Business groups, however, argue that temporary worker programs do not put immigrant workers at a disadvantage and are effective. In particular, business groups argue that temporary worker programs are essential to filling labor-intensive, low-skill jobs (such as in the agricultural sector).

The announcement of the proposed framework could lead to renewed debate of immigration issues and provide the Obama administration and congressional Democrats with additional leverage for introducing legislation.

The proposed framework is based on a new report, “Immigration for Shared Prosperity,” written by former Labor Secretary Ray Marshall in coordination with the Economic Policy Institute, a liberal think tank in Washington.