Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in partnership with the Department of Labor (DOL), revealed a significant move yesterday by announcing the availability of an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. This supplement, on top of the congressionally mandated 66,000 H-2B visas each fiscal year, aims to support American businesses in various sectors, such as hospitality, landscaping, and seafood processing, by helping them meet consumer demand with seasonal or temporary workers.
Meeting Workforce Demands The extra visa allocation will particularly aid areas where a shortage of U.S. workers exists, contributing to the American economy. This expansion aligns with the Biden Administration’s commitment to lawful pathways as an alternative to irregular migration, as declared in the Los Angeles Declaration for Migration and Protection.
Planning for Peak Seasons By announcing these additional visas at the outset of FY 2024, the DHS and DOL ensure that U.S. businesses with workforce needs can plan ahead and secure the seasonal and temporary workers they require. This move also reinforces protections for both U.S. and foreign workers, ensuring that American workers are given priority for these positions and that foreign workers are not exploited by unethical employers.
Secretary Mayorkas’s Statement Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro N. Mayorkas, affirmed the Department’s dedication to economic growth, labor demand, and worker protections. He emphasized the importance of releasing the maximum number of H-2B visas to enable U.S. businesses to plan for their peak season labor needs while maintaining safeguards against worker exploitation.
Country-Specific Allocation The H-2B supplemental visas will include an allocation of 20,000 visas for workers from several countries, consistent with the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to create a humane immigration system with lawful pathways. In addition, 44,716 supplemental visas will be available for returning workers who received an H-2B visa in the last three fiscal years.
About the H-2B Program The H-2B program allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire noncitizens for nonagricultural labor or services. It is designed for temporary employment needs, such as seasonal or intermittent labor. Employers must demonstrate that there are not enough available, qualified U.S. workers for the jobs they seek to fill and that hiring H-2B workers will not adversely affect the working conditions and wages of similarly employed U.S. workers.
Worker Protections DHS and DOL are committed to safeguarding the rights of H-2B workers and ensuring that employers do not overlook available U.S. workers. Detailed information on program safeguards, eligibility, and filing requirements will be provided in the forthcoming temporary final rule, available when published on the USCIS webpage.
