Letter to Senator Curtis
August 10, 2026
The Honorable John Curtis
United States Senator
Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building
125 South State Street, Suite 8402
Salt Lake City, UT 84138
Dear Senator Curtis:
On behalf of the Utah Citizens' Counsel (UCC), we write to express our strong support for your recent legislative efforts, introduced with Senator Mark Kelly, to reform America's legal immigration system through state-led migrant work visa programs. We recognize that this proposal has drawn sharp criticism from some corners of your own party, but we believe it represents exactly the kind of practical, evidence-based governance our country urgently needs.
The contemporary immigration debate in the United States has increasingly devolved into political polarization, often bypassing practical, evidence-based governance solutions. Your willingness to advance a bipartisan proposal in the face of that polarization deserves commendation, not condemnation.
We note that the National Governors Association is convening a bipartisan task force on state-led migrant work visas and legal immigration reform. Governors understand better than anyone that immigration is not merely a federal issue — it is an economic, workforce, and community issue that directly affects the prosperity of every state.
America's legal immigration system should better reflect today's labor market. Employment-based visas should expand and adjust in response to objective economic conditions rather than relying on outdated statutory limits established decades ago. Congress should authorize market-responsive visa allocations and create targeted pathways for industries experiencing persistent workforce shortages, including health care, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, technology, and caregiving.
States face different workforce challenges, and immigration policy should recognize those regional differences. Congress should authorize carefully designed state or regional pilot programs that allow governors to help address documented labor shortages while maintaining consistent federal oversight and security standards. Your legislation reflects precisely this approach.
Utah has shown the country how to do this before. In 2010, Utah leaders from across the political spectrum came together to sign the Utah Compact, recognizing that immigration is vital to our economy, that families belong together, and that practical solutions are better than political posturing. Your bill carries that same spirit to Washington.
The Utah Citizens' Counsel appreciates your willingness to lead this important bipartisan effort, even amid criticism. We encourage you to continue advancing this legislation and to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bring it to passage.
Thank you for your leadership and service to Utah.
Sincerely,
Utah Citizens' Counsel
Karen Crompton Dixie Huefner
Susan Olson Rebecca Davis
Dave Carrier Pat Christensen
Julie Miller Becky Edwards
Joel Briscoe Michael Stapley
Wu Xu Andrew Schoenberg
Cheryll May Denise Love
Jeff Edwards Matthew Wallace