When it comes to entering the United States, there are a number of ways to do so. Everyone has a different situation, so it is important to find the way that works best for you. For some, this may be through the H-2B program. Read on to learn more about the program and the latest announcement.
What is the H-2B Program?
H-2A and H-2B visa programs allow United States employers to bring foreigners to the country in order to fill temporary agricultural and nonagricultural jobs. H-2B refers to the Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers program. This is a highly competitive program for many people because the United States puts a cap on the number of people who are eligible to be employed as an H-2B nonimmigrant worker each year.
What is the Process?
In order to become eligible for this program, an employer must petition for the worker they are hiring. They must prove that the United States does not have enough of their own workers who are able nor willing to do the work. It is important to know that it is only temporary work. For example, it may be seasonal work. Additionally, the petitioning employer has to prove that there will be no negative impact on wages or working conditions of U.S. workers by hiring H-2B workers. Finally, petitioning employers must go through the United States Department of Labor in order to obtain a valid temporary labor certification. This can be a difficult process, so it is best to speak with an experienced immigration attorney.
What did USCIS Announce?
According to uscis.gov, “The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) have published a joint temporary final rule making available an additional 22,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural guest worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2021 to employers who are likely to suffer irreparable harm without these additional workers. Of the supplemental visas, 6,000 are reserved for nationals of the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala.”
If you have any questions or concerns about the H-2B program or the latest announcement, feel free to contact our firm today.
Contact our experienced Wisconsin firm
John Sesini is an experienced immigration attorney with offices in Green Bay and Milwaukee Wisconsin. Our firm understands what is at stake when it comes to immigration law matters, which is why If you have any questions, you should not hesitate to contact the Sesini Law Group, S.C. and schedule your initial consultation with our firm today.