Rep. Zeldin Reiterates Call to Strengthen Seasonal Visa Program, Including H-2A & H-2B Programs

Press Release

Today, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) once again called on the Department of Homeland Security to raise the H-2B Visa Program cap and reform the H-2A Visa Program to ensure local businesses have the adequate workforce they need ahead of the upcoming peak season.

Seasonal visa programs allow employers to supplement their current workforce by hiring foreign workers on a seasonal basis. These foreign workers come to the United States legally and pay taxes filling jobs not already filled by U.S. employees in areas of labor shortage.

"Across Suffolk County, there are many businesses, that rely on seasonal workforce visas, and I am committed to finding a long-term solution that provides certainty and stability for the employers who rely on this program," said Congressman Zeldin.

"It is a great problem to have when our local economy has more available jobs than people available to fill the positions, but it is imperative our employers are able to somehow fill their work force legally and immediately. Congress' most recent funding legislation, which failed to include a long-term solution for the H-2A or H-2B Visa Program, was a missed opportunity. With the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services having already notified employers the 66,000 visa cap has been reached for the second half of the year for H-2B, there was widespread consensus on the need to provide assurances for local businesses as we approach peak season.

"It is clear the current H-2B visa cap cannot adequately meet the demands of today's seasonal businesses, and Congress must pursue meaningful H-2A and H-2B reforms that address the shortfalls of the current seasonal visa programs and provide long-term stability and certainty for local employers and businesses."

Whether its voting in favor of H.R. 244 to provide the authority for the DHS Secretary to increase the visa cap or in favor of the returning workers exemption for H-2B in H.R. 2029, the Congressman has shown his continued support of the program and commitment to engaging with Congressional leadership and the administration in an effort to find a long term solution.

This year and last year, Congressman Zeldin urged DHS Secretary Nielsen to lift the cap on H-2B visas using the authority he voted to provide the Secretary.

Additionally, he cosponsored the Securing America's Future Act (H.R. 4760), which included reforms for H-2A, which hasn't been reformed since 1986.

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