The National Journal reports on an idea being floated by UC Davis Professor Giovanni Peri and released by the Brookings Institution which would have some non-immigrant visas made available to the highest bidding employers. The plan also includes a legalization path for some in the country illegally. But the auction concept is really the news item here since it's an idea that has not been much discussed. I like the idea of allowing the marketplace to help shape the immigration system. We don't have to completely shift to such a system, but Peri is on the right track in suggesting we at least consider allowing market forces to drive which workers are coming in to the country as opposed to relying on a disfunctional Congress or government agents that aren't always concerned about improving the country's economic performance.