Apr 21, 2021
After considerable pressure from small business owners and H-2B industry supporters, DHS has agreed to release an additional 22,000 H-2B visas, with 6,000 of those visas being earmarked for workers from Northern Triangle countries (Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala). According to DHS, employers wishing to obtain workers through this visa release will have to conduct additional advertising, and explain how their businesses will suffer without these workers. Learn more in this blog.
Apr 7, 2021
Presidential Proclamation 10052, suspending H-1B, H-2B, J and L admissions, expired March 31, 2021. Ongoing 2019 novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) public health travel restrictions remain in place requiring travelers from certain areas to qualify for national interest exceptions. U.S. Consulates are still operating at reduced levels and will have to work through backlogs as the pandemic ends. Learn more in this blog.
Oct 19, 2020
Starting October 19, 2020, the fee for Premium Processing, will be $2,500 (previously $1,440) for all filings except those requesting H-2B (non-agricultural seasonal worker) or R-1 (Religious Worker) status, for which the new fee is $1,500 (previously $1,440).Any filings post-marked on or after October 19th must include the new fee amount. Any Form-1-907 postmarked on or after October 19th with the incorrect fee amount will be rejected and the fee returned.
Jun 25, 2020
Quick Takeaways:
• Changes now in effect.
• Canadians and Bermudians excluded from Executive Order by virtue of being visa exempt.
• All foreign nationals with presently valid H-1B, H-2B, J-1, and L-1 Visa holders also excluded, even if they have not entered the United States as of June 24.
• Other questions still remain.
Jun 23, 2020
Quick Takeaways:
-Changes go into effect 12:01AM EST on June 24, 2020 and unless lifted or enjoined will remain in place through at least December 31, 2020.
-Suspends admission of H-1B, H-2B, L-1, and certain J-1 nonimmigrants and their dependents who are outside the United States and who do not have valid visas or other valid travel document as of the effective date.
-Also extends existing suspension of immigrant visa issuance through December 31, 2020, subject to previously announced exceptions.
-Individuals seeking a change to one of the affected statuses within the United States or who have a valid visa are not covered by the Executive Order are able to continuing processing.
-Does not include Lawful Permanent Residents,spouses/children of U.S. Citizens, essential workers in food supply chain, and other individuals whose admission would be in the “national interest.”
-Other nonimmigrant workers (E-3, TN, H-1B1, O, P, etc.) are not included.
-Many questions remain with respect to interpretation and implementation.
Jun 21, 2020
Proposed suspension of issuing H-1B, L-1, J-1, and H-2B Visas for the remainder of 2020. Would not impact individuals within the United States, unclear how it will impact those who already have these visas. Broad exceptions for foreign nationals whose admission would be in the national interest. Will update after reviewing the signed Executive Order.
May 13, 2020
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is temporarily removing certain limitations on employers or U.S. agents seeking to hire certain H-2B workers already in the United States to provide temporary labor or services essential to the U.S. food supply chain, and for certain H-2B workers, who are essential to the U.S. food supply chain, seeking to extend their stay. Learn more in this blog.
Dec 7, 2018
A tentative bi-partisan deal has been struck to reform the H-2B program, in effect doubling the number of allotted visas per fiscal year from 66,000 to 132,000. However, there is a price to pay for the cap increase, and that price is the new requirement that all H-2B employers perform strict checks on all workers hired since 2012.
May 1, 2018
Congress created the H-2B program in 1986 with the passage of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA). This new non-immigrant[1] class w...
Jul 21, 2017
Good news is on the way for seasonal and short-term employers in need of additional qualified workers, as USCIS and the Department of Labor jointly...