Immigration reform likely will need to be achieved through something other than the budget reconciliation bill now that the Senate parliamentarian has ruled it can’t be attached to the $3.5 trillion, 10-year spending and revenue measure.

Senate Democrats had proposed a plan to give legal status to up to 8 million immigrants, including DREAMers – children brought to the United States illegally – those with Temporary Protected Status who came from countries hit by natural disasters or civil unrest, “essential” workers and agricultural workers.

Democrats may adjust their proposal as a way to make it eligible for the budget bill. Separately, President Biden will raise the annual cap on the number of refugees allowed into the country to 125,000, beginning 1 October. In May, the president raised the cap to 62,500 from 15,000, the limit set during the Trump administration.

NPPC continues to urge Congress and the Biden administration to expand the existing H-2A visa for temporary, seasonal farm workers to year-round agricultural workers.