H2B

H-2B classification applies to temporary or seasonal nonagricultural workers. This classification requires a temporary labor certification issued by the Secretary of Labor.

H-2B visas are used in industries such as: landscaping, seasonal hospitality, and seasonal construction, and to meet specific needs in manufacturing, food packaging and processing, fisheries, retail, forestry and other industries. H-2B visas allow foreign nationals to work for a sponsoring employer to fill seasonal positions (except in agriculture), on one-time projects, during times of exceptionally high workload, or intermittently.

I have been assisting businesses around the United States locate temporary, seasonal workers from countries such as Mexico, Hungary, Romania, and the Czech Republic to name a few. Once workers are located, there are several steps that must be followed to ensure the worker qualifies and the proper applications and certifications have been applied for and granted in a timely manner. My experience as an Immigration Attorney assures that your business is receiving quality counsel.

USCIS has just released new proposals to streamline the H2B process. Read below for more information.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced August 15, 2008 a series of proposed rule changes that will streamline procedures for hiring workers under the H-2B program.  These changes are being proposed in further fulfillment of the commitment made by the Administration last August, after the failure of Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform, to review and improve temporary worker visa programs using existing authorities.  The proposed rule, which has been sent to the Federal Register, supplements the extensive reforms of the H-2B program already proposed by the Department of Labor in its proposed rule published on May 22. 

The H-2B nonimmigrant temporary worker program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary non-agricultural temporary jobs for which U.S. workers are not available.  The proposed changes to the H-2B program, discussed by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on June 10, will encourage and facilitate the lawful employment of foreign temporary workers while ensuring the integrity of the H-2B program.