HB 2858 – Foreign worker program

HB 2858 would authorize the Governor of Texas to create a state-run guest worker program in partnership with a Mexican state. While promoted as a way to address labor shortages, this bill raises major concerns for Texas workers and taxpayers. By allowing employers to bypass domestic labor in favor of foreign guest workers, the bill could suppress wages, reduce job opportunities for Texans, and create disincentives for businesses to invest in local workforce development. It risks creating a government-managed system that picks winners and losers in the labor market, undermining free-market dynamics. Administering this program could also place new costs and burdens on state government, including enforcement, documentation, and cross-border coordination—all of which fall to taxpayers. In effect, the bill shifts economic responsibility from private industry to the state, expanding government’s role in workforce management and weakening incentives for employers to recruit, train, and retain domestic talent. A better path forward would focus on removing regulatory barriers and encouraging employment through market-based solutions