Biden Administration to Reserve 6000 Seasonal Worker Visas for Central American Migrants
The Biden Administration will reserve a total of 6,000 seasonal guest worker visas to be given to Central Americans. The said visas will be handed out to migrants coming from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, Reuters reported.
The announcement of the visa reservation was made by the Department of Homeland Security, saying that it was done to address the root causes of Migration, and manage the migration "throughout the North and Central America."
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6,000 Worker Visas
DHS pointed out that this is a small step in creating a more legal pathway to the United States from the Central American region. The number of visas to be reserved is also part of the 22,000 supplemental increase for the H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker program.
Moreover, the seasonal worker visas will also grant temporary legal status to seasonal workers that are practicing in service jobs from restaurants and hotels, Fox News reported.
"The H-2B program is designed to help U.S. employers fill temporary seasonal jobs," said DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Mayorkas added that the program is done while safeguarding the livelihoods of the American workers.
The said visas are currently used for landscaping, food processing, hotel works, and other seasonal jobs. The increase of the H-2B cap follows the employers' need for supplemental temporary guest workers for this fiscal year.
Meanwhile, a DHS official shared with Reuters that if the 6,000 worker visas were not used by companies seeking workers from the northern triangle, the visas will go back to the general visa pool before September 30.
DHS noted in their release that the "additional visas" will only be available to an employer who will attest that without "workers under the cap increase, they are likely to suffer irreparable harm."
Biden Administration Increasing the H-2B Cap
Currently, the H-2B Cap is set by Congress is at 66,000 per fiscal year. 33 thousand will be available for those who begin employment during the first half of the fiscal year, while the remaining on the latter fiscal year. If not used entirely, the remaining H-2B number will not carry on the next fiscal year.
Meanwhile, the 22,000 supplemental increase on the H-2B cap by the Biden administration will be added to the current 66,000 visas for the fiscal year. The tally was exhausted earlier in the year.
UNITE HERE calls on the Biden Admin to refrain from issuing more H-2B visas this year during this time of pandemic-related high unemployment.
— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) April 17, 2021
To protect both migrant and U.S. workers, the Biden Admin should focus on implementing worker protections in the H-2B program.
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However, labor unions are not in favor of the administration's decision. In a tweet, the hospitality labor union, Unite Here, called the attention of the Biden Administration as they heed the admin to stop issuing more H-2B visas this year. The union added that the current administration must focus on worker protections to protect both migrants and American workers.
Moreover, immigration restrictionist groups have opposed the H-2B program ever since. They argued that the program is rampant abuse of companies who are keen on cheap foreign labor.
Meanwhile, the DHS pointed out in their release that the temporary final rule will allow employers to hire H-2B workers already present in the U.S. without waiting for the approval of the new petition. DHS furthered the provision from the Biden administration will safeguard both American workers and workers with seasonal working visas.
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WATCH: Immigration under the Biden administration - from CGTN America
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