Guest Worker Visas Cut to 200,000 In Senate Vote
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WASHINGTON — The Senate voted to cut in half the number of visas available under a proposed guest-worker program as part of an overhaul of immigration law.
The Senate, by a vote of 74–24, agreed to reduce to 200,000 a year from 400,000 the number of people who could come into America under the program.
Senator Bingaman, a Democrat of New Mexico, said the program was “unproven” and reducing the number of participants “is the prudent thing to do.”
The change was sought by Democrats and labor unions concerned that the influx of workers might reduce wages and cost Americans their jobs. Some Republicans said a larger program is needed to prevent further illegal immigration. “The 400,000 number was based on estimates of what is needed on a yearly basis for the needs of our economy,” Senator Martinez, a Republican of Florida, said.
