30,000 Additional H-2B Visas to Become Available for Migrant Workers

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has approved an additional 30,000 H-2B visas for returning seasonal non-agricultural workers, who have worked in the U.S. during one of the previous 3 fiscal years,

The H-2B program is designed for seasonal work. The most common occupations among H-2B workers are grounds keeping, landscaping, and housekeeping. The H-2B program is mainly for seasonal work in resort towns, amusement parks, and other venues where employment increases dramatically for only part of the year.

Many employers have reported that, without H-2B workers, they are unable to provide services needed or would need to shut down completely, which would put both native-born and foreign-born workers out of a job.

This would bring the total for the fiscal year to 96,000, which is the largest number of H-2B visas approved since 2007 under the presidency of George W. Bush.