(The Center Square) – The Vermont legislature is looking toward legal immigration pathways to address labor shortages throughout the state.

Vermont passed a bipartisan bill in May calling for the creation of the New Americans Study Committee in order to make recommendations on a forthcoming Office of New Americans.

The committee is required to develop a summary of economic data regarding immigrants in Vermont and provide recommendations for how to improve immigrant services. The bill specifically called on the committee to study education and training institutions, professional licensing and housing support for immigrants.

Jill Martin Diaz, executive director of the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project, voiced support for the bill. Diaz cited workforce shortages in Vermont to suppo

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