Department of Labor increases number of 'guest worker' visas

The Department of Labor has approved the issuance of an additional 35,000 visas for guest workers in the second half of the year under a program that is utilized heavily by trainers.

The increase in the cap for the H-2B visa program has become something of a semi-annual exercise, as the Department of Labor responds to the interests of businesses that rely heavily on immigrant labor. The semi-annual cap was set by Congress at 33,000, but that number is now routinely doubled after a review by the Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security in consultation with industries that use the program.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Trainers are some of the heaviest users of the H-2B visa program, which allows “guest workers” under certain guidelines. Over the past decade, many trainers have cited labor shortages as one of their most pressing concerns, contending that few American workers will fill positions for grooms, hotwalkers, and exercise riders.

Under the increase in the cap, 23,500 visas will be made immediately available for workers who have already received an H-2B visa or were granted H-2B status during one of the last three fiscal years. The other 11,500 visas are being reserved for nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Haiti, regardless of prior H-2B status.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, which lobbies the federal government on behalf of racing constituencies, released a statement on Tuesday in support of the increase in the cap.

“This announcement will help provide immediate relief for tracks and horse trainers going into the summer racing industry,” said the association’s president, Tom Rooney, a former congressman. “While the release of additional H-2B visas is good news for the industry, the NTRA will continue to advocate for more comprehensive immigration reform in the future.”