The Irrigation Association, Fairfax, Virginia, joined multiple organizations in signing a letter urging the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to extend interview waiver authorities for H-2B visa applicants.
The waivers, used in reducing wait times and backlogs, are set to expire at the end of 2023.
“The expiration of interview waivers threatens the great progress made by the Biden Administration to reduce the record-breaking wait times and pandemic-era backlogs that have harmed businesses, kept families apart, and undermined the travel economy since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,” reads the letter.
The extension is seen as vital to maintain efficiency and support industries reliant on international travel and collaboration. The letter emphasizes the importance of these waivers in streamlining visa processes without compromising national security.
