DHS to Double Number of H-2B Visas for the 2019 Summer Season

DHS increases H-2B visas for 2019

Despite the current Administration’s two-year campaign to issue executive orders placing limits on U.S. work visas, a surprising limited expansion of the H-2B work visa program was announced by DHS this week. This development is especially welcome news for the landscaping, seafood processing, forestry and hospitality industries, all of whom depend heavily on this visa for temporary, seasonal workers.

The H-2B visa program has an annual quota of 66,000 workers. The 66,000 annual quota is split evenly between the spring/summer and fall/winter seasons. The above DHS announcement represents an additional 30,000 H-2B visas, on top of the 33,000 H-2B visas already designated for the 2019 spring/summer season. However, the extra 30,000 allocation of H-2B visas is being limited to those workers who have previously held H-2B visa status.

While virtually every U.S. work visa program is the subject of intense and polarizing debate in Congress, this H-2B visa expansion proposal is an encouraging sign. Indeed, this proposal should be seen as recognition by the current administration that U.S. businesses continue to experience significant difficulties in recruiting U.S. workers for temporary, seasonal positions.

For additional information related to this topic and for advice regarding how to navigate U.S. immigration laws you may contact Kenneth S. Levine of the law firm of Freeman, Mathis & Gary, LLP at (770-551-2700) or [email protected].        

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