DHS to Double H-2B Temporary Worker Visas in 2024

DHS :- In a significant development, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has revealed plans to dramatically increase the number of H-2B temporary worker visas available to non-agricultural workers in the U.S. The move comes as a response to the growing demand in industries such as hospitality, tourism, landscaping, and seafood processing.

DHS to Double H-2B :-

The DHS statement highlighted the crucial role that seasonal and temporary workers play in meeting consumer demand, emphasizing the positive impact on the American economy. The Citizenship and Immigration Services, which typically allocates 66,000 H-2B visas annually, will add an additional 64,716 in 2024 to counter a projected seasonal worker shortage.

This decision aligns with the Biden administration’s commitment to expanding lawful pathways as an alternative to irregular migration. By announcing the supplemental visa allocation now, the DHS aims to enable seasonal employers to plan ahead and meet their temporary worker needs.

A noteworthy aspect of this expansion is the country-specific allocation of 20,000 visas. Workers from Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras will benefit from this initiative. The Biden-Harris Administration sees this allocation as a step towards building a safe, orderly, and humane immigration system.

The DHS and the Department of Labor assure the public that existing immigration employment laws will be enforced. This includes measures to ensure that employers prioritize the recruitment and hiring of American workers and that foreign workers are protected from exploitation by unscrupulous employers, as mandated by H-2B visa rules.

Employers seeking H-2B workers must adhere to a rigorous process, including obtaining certification from the Department of Labor that there is a genuine shortage of qualified U.S. workers for the intended temporary work. The Biden administration’s recent proposal to strengthen worker protections in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs underscores their commitment to safeguarding the rights of all workers.

To accommodate the seasonal nature of many jobs, a larger portion of the additional visas will be issued in the second half of the year, aligning with the increased demand for summertime agriculture and similar positions.”The employment must be of a temporary nature, such as a one-time occurrence, seasonal need, or intermittent need,” the statement reiterated. This reinforces the core principle behind the H-2B visa program, ensuring that it serves its intended purpose of addressing temporary workforce needs in a lawful and regulated manner.

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