US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin proposes expanding work visas to fill labor gaps

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and other governors at the National Governors Association meeting in Oklahoma City that the federal government should increase the number of work visas for foreign labor. He said the move would help “plug holes” in sectors such as agriculture, hospitality, elder‑care and fisheries where U.S. participation rates are low. Mullin emphasized that individuals with criminal records would still be excluded, but he suggested scaling back deportations for workers who are already employed.

The proposal responds to governors’ requests for a legal pathway to bring low‑wage foreign workers to address labor shortages. While it could benefit U.S. employers and boost profitability for businesses reliant on seasonal labor, the impact on foreign companies operating in the United States, such as Spanish firms, is expected to be limited.