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Status of H-2B Visas
As you know, the Fiscal 2018 Omnibus Appropriations Law provided the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary Labor, with the authority to release up to an additional 69,320 H-2B visas if she determines "that the needs of American businesses cannot be satisfied in fiscal year 2018 with United States workers who are willing, qualified, and able to perform temporary nonagricultural labor."
So far, we have not heard anything official from DHS about the release of additional visas. We have heard rumors the DHS plans to release 15,000 additional visas in May.
We need your help to encourage DHS to immediately release all of the additional 69,302 visas.
Help Us Tell Your Story
We need your help explaining to DHS that there are disastrous economic consequences for your business, your American workers, and the economy if DHS does not act quickly. You can help us by doing the following:
- Record a short one-minute video that includes the name and location of your business and the consequences to your business and your domestic workforce if you do not get H-2B workers soon. This can be a simple statement recorded on a cell phone while sitting in your office or out in the field, or you could ask your U.S. workers to record a short video. Send them to Laurie Flanagan at [email protected] and she will post the videos on H-2B Workforce Coalition Facebook page.
- Send a Letter to the Editor or Op-Ed to your local newspapers. A template is provided
 that you can edit and personalize. Try to make the op-ed relevant to the local economy and keep it to about 750 words.
What Else Can You Do?
- Ask your Senators and Representative (Colorado delegates are listed here
 ) to continue to reach out to DHS and DOL and encourage the Departments to immediately resume H-2B processing up to the full number of visas authorized by the FY18 omnibus appropriations law. You can reach your elected officials at through the Capitol switchboard at 202-225-3121 or you can call the toll-free number set up by the National Association of Landscape Professionals at (833) 728-3422. You will be prompted to enter your zip code will then be automatically connected you to your Senators and Representative.
- Tweet at Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen and Labor Secretary Acosta about the need for immediate cap relief using #SaveH2B. Their addresses are @SecretaryAcosta, @USDOL,@SecNielsen, @DHSgov. Some sample tweets are below or create your own that talks about the impact of the cap on your business and your American workforce.
- Please also call and email the USCIS Ombudsman's office and encourage the Department of Homeland Security to support H-2B cap relief. The email address is [email protected] and the phone number is 1-855-882-8100.
Sample Tweets
Thank you. The latest numbers on H-2B are provided here .
Your H-2B Workforce Coalition Co-Chairs,
Laurie Flanagan, Representing AmericanHort and the National Association of Landscape Professionals
Brian Crawford, American Hotel and Lodging Association
Gregg Hartley, Representing the Outdoor Amusement Business Association |
