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January 2, 2025
Illegal immigration management is a central focus for Montana’s all-Republican federal delegation as they prepare for the new Congress in Washington D.C.
Republicans have consistently highlighted immigration issues since 2016, describing Montana as a “northern border state with a southern border problem.” This concern contrasts with the state’s growing dependence on foreign labor.
Visas for professional workers, including H-1B work permits, have become a heated topic due to Elon Musk’s debate with anti-immigration Republicans regarding the need for H-1Bs to fill tech worker shortages.
Since 2016, Montana employers’ demand for foreign workers has almost doubled, with around 3,000 visa positions requested in 2024.
According to the Congressional Research Service, 42% of the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. are visa overstays. Visa policy changes often accompany border security bills, which Republicans have used to increase visa application costs and scrutiny, aligning with efforts by Sen. Steve Daines.
H-2B visas, used for non-agricultural jobs, saw significant growth, increasing from 146 in 2018 to 1,178 in 2024. Much of this growth was driven by out-of-state businesses bringing workers to Montana.
Gallatin County led in H-2B requests, with 596 applications mainly for construction, landscaping, and lodging roles. The highest-paid positions exceed $20 an hour.
Agriculture and forestry businesses submitted 658 applications, with farms and ranches receiving the most approvals at 1,676 in 2024.
The 2024 electoral cycle’s rare non-border-security message came from Sen. Jon Tester, endorsed by Hans McPherson, a former president of the conservative Montana Farm Bureau Federation, for supporting a 13% increase in employment visas.
Republican Tim Sheehy, who won on a U.S.-Mexico border-focused platform, received backing from groups supporting business-friendly visa policies. Craig Duchossois donated $250,000 to More Jobs Less Government, a PAC supporting Sheehy.
In Montana, H-1B visas for professionals often relate to rural jobs not attracting U.S. citizens, as noted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Six rural school districts in eastern Montana secured 13 H-1B workers, with Brockton School District receiving the majority. Education remains the largest H-1B-requesting sector, alongside healthcare providers in 10 counties and key medical hubs.
Several Montana scientific, technical, and financial service businesses also sought skilled workers, though their requests were fewer than those from schools and healthcare providers.
Will they have to reapply?
As the Legislature begins on Jan. 6, attention will be on whether the state Senate reconfirms department heads from Gov. Greg Gianforte’s first term and if those confirmations are used as leverage in negotiations.
The Montana Constitution mandates that department heads, appointed by the governor, need state Senate confirmation and hold office until the governor’s term ends unless removed earlier. Historically, this has left some ambiguity when reelected governors, like Gianforte, wish to keep previously confirmed department heads.
Lawmakers occasionally suggest re-confirmation for holdovers, leading to friction with governors. Sen. John Esp recounted Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s blunt response when Republicans indicated his first-term appointees required reconfirmation for a second term.
A Republican legislator mentioned to Capitolized that confirmations might be delayed until 2025, only proceeding once department heads address lawmakers’ concerns.
Esp emphasized that his interest is ensuring department heads serve the public and not using confirmations as bargaining tools.
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