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H-2B Visas · Immigration Policy · Labor Costs · Seasonal Labor
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an increase of 35,000 H-2B seasonal guest worker visas for the current fiscal year, allowing U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers for nonagricultural jobs, with 10,000 designated for Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.
This expansion raises the annual cap, set by Congress at 66,000, to address labor shortages in industries like hospitality, seafood, and landscaping. DHS will issue the supplemental visas in two batches: 20,000 for April 1 work start dates and 15,000 for May 15.
The program requires employers to prove they first attempted to hire U.S. residents and includes new anti-fraud measures, such as limiting visas to returning workers and conducting site visits. While some lawmakers, like Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), expressed concern that the increase prioritizes "cheap foreign labor" over American wages, others, including Democratic Rep.
Andy Harris, applauded the decision, citing reliance on seasonal workers in their districts. This action follows a similar move in fiscal 2019 when DHS authorized an additional 30,000 visas.
