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Foreign workers have long provided critical support to U.S. businesses during busy periods, filling temporary seasonal jobs when domestic workers are in short supply. This assistance, mostly manual labor, is made possible thanks to the H-2 visa program. The program was created by Congress in 1952 to “alleviate labor shortages, particularly during periods of intensive production.”
Specifically, H-2A visas allow employers to hire temporary agricultural workers, while H-2B visas allow employers to hire non-agricultural workers such as landscapers and hotel staff. Both are popular with businesses. However, it is becoming clear that the H-2B program is not adequately addressing the burgeoning needs of U.S. employers who face growing labor shortages in the face of changing U.S. workforce relations. be.
The number of non-farm temporary workers identified by the U.S. Department of Labor will increase from more than 147,000 in fiscal year 2018 to more than 215,000 in fiscal year 2023, according to a new analysis by the U.S. Immigration Council. It was revealed that this alone resulted in a 46% increase. 5 years. Still, the visa program is capped at 66,000 workers per year, divided into the first and second halves of the fiscal year. Congress has had to approve additional visas in the past four fiscal years.
The council’s analysis also found that the geographic scope of the H-2B program has expanded significantly, with the number of counties hiring H-2B workers increasing by 30.4% from 2018 to 2023. Employers in 469 counties that did not have certified workers in fiscal year 2018 The company acquired such workers in fiscal year 2023, reflecting the increased reliance on H-2B workers in various regions.
By state, Texas had the highest number of DOL-certified H-2B workers, with Florida recording the largest increase from 10,690 in FY 2018 to 18,384 in FY 2023. Additionally, Alabama, Hawaii, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oregon, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming more than doubled the number of certified workers during this period.
The Council’s interactive map allows you to explore specific trends in your state and better understand how H-2B workers are distributed across the country. This resource provides a detailed breakdown of the program’s scope and impact. The council also released a report on H-2A workers in June. The report, which includes an interactive tool, found that the demand for temporary migrant workers in the agricultural industry has increased as well.
In the non-agricultural sector, landscaping, hotels and motels, and building and residential services are the largest industries relying on H-2B visas. Hospitality and landscaping industries face major challenges in recruiting and retaining employees as U.S. baby boomers retire from the workforce and young U.S.-born workers continue to show little interest in manual, seasonal work I am doing it.
In 2023, the most sought-after occupation for H-2B workers was landscaping and grounds maintenance workers, accounting for 39.1% of all qualifications. Maid and housekeeping cleaners, 7.0%. and forestry and conservation workers at 5.8%. Foreign seasonal workers are also in high demand in the tourism, construction, and seafood processing industries.
The H-2B visa program plays a critical role in supporting American businesses and, in turn, boosting local economies across the United States. However, the program needs an overhaul. Not only is the annual number of visas issued clearly insufficient to meet the needs of today’s employers, but the visa process is extremely complex and requires multiple contacts with both the Department of Labor and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Requires a time-consuming procedure.
We must continue to protect U.S.-born workers and prevent the exploitation of seasonal foreign workers. But it can also help U.S. employers better access the temporary workforce they need, while expanding access and streamlining processes.
Submitted to: Department of Labor, H-2B
