A Drop in H-2B Visas

A Trump limits the number of H-2B visas companies with high demand and who are dependant on foreign seasonal workers are beginning to suffer. Despite Donald Trump’s promise to have the back of smaller businesses, many small American companies have been denied visas to bring in foreign workers this year. Across America companies that depend on the temporary worker program have struggled to stay afloat because of the limited number of visa being issued despite the high demand.

In an unexpected move the Trump administration changed the H-2B program to a first come, first serve basis where visas are given as a lottery system, this has made it difficult for businesses to access temporary foreign workers. The Congress who created and are overseeing the guest worker programme have set the limit to 66,000 visas. These visas are divided between summer and winter seasons and have been rejecting calls to eliminate or permanently raise the cap.

Uncertainty

However due to the high demand made by businesses, Congress allowed the Department of Homeland Security to make some additional temporary visas available this year. The Trump administration released an extra 15,000 visas in May but this was still not enough for many organisations as they demand a full need of an overhaul on the system.

Business owners have spoken and have stated that they have advertised for their work across all channels to find American workers but they’re unable to successfully hire local workers as most Americans do not want temporary jobs. They understand it’s much easier for them to hire American workers but due to the nature of the work their unable to do so, so they rely heavily on foreign employees. For those who have been rejected the visas have seen the damage it has done to their organisation as there has bee a drop in their revenues. For the lucky ones who were accepted visas are happy but very unsure about the future as Trump tightens the laws even further.

 

Trump’s Administration Ignores the Requests

Many people have criticised President Trump as he is known for also using the H-2B visa to hire employees for his own companies but has completely ignored the requests of other businesses. Many believe that the government has not done enough to listen to the plight of seasonal businesses that rely on the foreign visa program, and believe that the immigration debate has hindered reform efforts.

A spokesman for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under the Department of Homeland Security, said the agency is committed to overhauling the program, but also wants to protect American workers.

“USCIS is focused on ensuring the integrity of the immigration system and protecting the interests of U.S. workers,” he said in a statement. “We are committed to reforming employment-based immigration programs so they benefit the American people to the greatest extent possible.”

 

 

 

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