Shaheen Lauds DHS Announcement of Additional H-2B Visas, Boosting Availability for NH Businesses
Shaheen has long fought to increase the number of visas available in the H-2B program, which is pivotal for Granite State businesses in the hospitality, tourism and landscaping industries – particularly during peak seasons.
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, issued the following statement in response to the Biden administration’s announcement that it will increase the number of H-2B visas by nearly 65,000 over the statutory amount of 66,000.
Additional information on the H-2B program will be available in the temporary final rule and the Cap Count for H-2B Nonimmigrants webpage. Of the additional visas, 20,000 will be reserved for nationals of Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, and the remaining nearly 45,000 will be available to returning workers from the previous three fiscal years.
“This visa program is vital for New Hampshire’s seasonal small businesses in sectors like tourism, hospitality and landscaping. Seasonal workers play an important role in our economy, and Granite State business owners rely on this program to fill temporary positions they need during the busiest times of the year,” said Shaheen. “I’ve long advocated to both Republican and Democratic administrations to increase the authorization of these visas. I appreciate President Biden heeding my calls and will continue to work with his administration to see that New Hampshire business owners have the tools and resources they need to succeed and grow.”
Shaheen has led efforts in Congress that support and invest in New Hampshire’s tourism and travel industries that fuel local economies across the state. Since the tourism industry relies on a robust seasonal workforce, she’s repeatedly pushed the Department of Homeland Security to address delays in granting H-2B visas that support seasonal workers. She’s met consistently with representatives from the tourism and hospitality sector, which rely on this visa program.
