H-2B visa program to double in size to 64,000

The U.S. government plans to issue an additional 64,000 H-2B visas this fiscal year to qualifying employers, the Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security announced on Wednesday, vastly expanding a program that is heavily relied on by trainers.

The additional visas will nearly double the number that the government made available in the last fiscal year. H-2B visas are available to immigrant workers in the non-agricultural sectors of the economy, and many trainers use the program for backstretch workers. The fiscal year started on Oct. 1.

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The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, which conducts federal lobbying efforts on behalf of the Thoroughbred industry, said in a statement that the doubling of the number of visas was “good news” for the racing industry.

Still, Tom Rooney, the chief executive officer of the NTRA and a former Congressman, said that the racing industry needs more stability in the labor market to address its needs. The U.S. government typically announces the size of the H-2B program after consulting with business leaders, instead of addressing the issue through legislation.

“A permanent solution must be put in place to ensure our industry has a sufficient and reliable labor pool going forward,” Rooney said. “We will continue to engage Congress and this administration to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform that will provide long-term solutions.”

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