More H-2B Visas Issued

The Department of Homeland Security is allocating an additional 30,000 H-2B visas for foreign seasonal workers, the agency announced Friday, granting some relief to businesses and tourist destinations that cannot find enough Americans to cook and clean, and fill other low-wage jobs during the summer season. Access to foreign labor has become a major issue for seasonal businesses that have for years struggled with severe worker shortages. Even with the additional visas announced Friday, employers say there will not be enough to go around and predict they will again begin the high season shorthanded. The new visas, besides the 33,000 already issued for jobs beginning April 1, will be available only to returning H-2B workers who have worked in the U.S. in the past three years. The agency has not said when employers can begin applying for them.