As reported in the Washington Post 5/24/2010

Democrats crafting an overhaul of U.S. immigration laws are bringing a new approach to a long-stalled debate: giving a federal commission some power over the future flow of legal foreign workers.

Senate Democratic leaders are drafting a measure to authorize a commission to recommend levels of employment-based visas and green cards that let immigrants work legally in the United States. The plan would require Congress, in certain cases, to vote when immigrant labor is deemed out of line with demand. Although the commission would have limited influence over the skilled-immigrant market for technology and other industries, it would have a major role in regulating low-skilled foreign labor.

The commission idea originally came from Ray Marshall, Labor Secretary under President Jimmy Carter. The United States needs a nonpartisan panel that would use “rigorous” data analysis in its decisions, Marshall said in an interview.

The idea is another example of lawmakers showing a willingness to relinquish decision-making to commissions on issues that include reducing the federal debt, Iraq war policy and curbing Medicare costs.

“It’s the ultimate expression for the need for political cover,” said Ross Baker, a political science professor at Rutgers University.

Legislation being drafted by Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) is expected to take a different tack, said a Schumer aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The panel they envision would have a stronger role in deciding immigrant-worker levels in lower-skilled occupations — such as hotel and restaurant jobs — than in higher-skilled ones.

We’ll see how all this plays out and will continue to report on any and all immigration reform measures.

If you’re an employer that despite your efforts to hire US workers, must rely on foreign workers to grow your business, sign this petition and send it to your representatives and then pass the link along.