The H-2B Workforce Coalition, Washington, D.C., sent a letter to Congress urging legislators to consider measures to provide relief on the current cap on visas for American businesses that use the H-2B temporary worker visa program.
The letter specifically urges Congress to include an H-2B returning worker exemption and to continue the H-2B regulatory provisions that have been included in S.1695, the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill, since fiscal year 2016.
“The fate of seasonal businesses and their domestic workforce should not be dependent upon a lottery,” the letter reads. “Seasonal businesses need meaningful cap relief so they can continue to generate economic growth and job creation for American workers across the country.”
Without congressional action, the letter suggests, there could be dire consequences for the American economy.
“Without Congressional action, many employers across the country will be without the critical workforce they need to operate this spring and summer. These businesses may not be able to fulfill contracts. They could be forced to turn away customers, lay off American workers whose jobs are supported by H-2B workers, and in some cases shut down their operations entirely,” reads the letter.
The 33,000 first-half cap for fiscal year 2023 was met on September 12, 2022, the 33,000 second-half cap was met on February 27, 2023, and the supplemental visa cap for returning workers needed between April 1 and May 15 was reached on March 30.
The letter was signed by more than 2,000 organizations across the country.
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