The trade group for travel and tourism

businesses in Kansas has joined an effort to start a state program

to place some illegal immigrants in hard-to-fill jobs.

The Travel Industry Association of Kansas says it joined a

coalition pushing state legislators to create such a program

because it wants to address worker shortages in some industries.

The coalition includes the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and

agriculture groups.

The travel association also says it wants to prevent harm to the

tourism industry that might occur if legislators enact tough laws

aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration.

Legislators reconvene Wednesday to wrap up business for the

year, but they’ve so far shown little interest in tackling

immigration issues. Some critics consider the business coalition’s

plan amnesty for illegal immigrants.