With an ongoing need for a reliable, legal and timely workforce to keep essential industries running, over 2,000 small businesses — including the National Association of Landscape Professionals — recently called on the Trump Administration to immediately release the 64,716 supplemental H-2B visas authorized by law. These visas are critical to sustaining U.S. businesses, protecting American jobs and keeping everyday goods and services affordable.
Thousands of small and seasonal businesses are urging the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor to exercise its authority to immediately release these visas, as has been done for several years by both the Trump and Biden Administrations. Last month, a bipartisan group about one-third of the Senate and more than 40 U.S. Representatives also sent letters to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor asking for the immediate release of these crucial supplemental H-2B visas.
Seasonal industries, including landscaping, hospitality, forestry, construction, amusement and recreation and seafood processing, are facing severe labor shortages threatening their ability to operate at full capacity. Under federal law, employers must first make every effort to recruit U.S. workers. Only when no willing and qualified American workers are available may they hire employees through the H‑2B program.
“The H-2B program is essential to the success of seasonal industries like landscaping, especially as we continue to face a severe workforce crisis,” said Britt Wood, CEO of the NALP. “Confidence that this Administration will continue to support the program provides the certainty landscape companies need to invest in growth, purchase new equipment, and deliver the high-quality services their customers rely on.”
“With major global events around the corner, ensuring the hotel industry is equipped to provide exceptional guest service and hospitality that the traveling public expects is essential. That’s why H-2B visas are critical. These visas help hotels address persistent labor shortages and provide guests with the level of service they expect,” said Rosanna Maietta, president and CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Association. “With millions preparing to travel for the FIFA World Cup or those celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary, it’s imperative that the Departments of Homeland Security Labor release the maximum allowable number of supplemental H-2B visas. Doing that now, means hotels will have enough time to fill their workforce gaps and be fully staffed ahead of peak season travel.”
“It’s vitally important that we increase the supply of housing in our communities. A key part of that is having a stable workforce available to build homes,” said Ken Gear, CEO, Leading Builders of America (LBA). “Even as LBA’s Building Talent Foundation works to train US workers to come into our industry, we still need the additional supports provided by the legal workforce participating in the H-2B program. In order to avoid disruptions to projects that employ our US workforce, it’s important that H-2B visas be released in an efficient manner.”
Releasing the supplemental H-2B visas is a bipartisan, economically sound action supporting U.S. businesses, American workers and consumers. These visas are already authorized and expected by employers across the country who have demonstrated a legal need for seasonal labor. Any delay in releasing the visas places strain on businesses, employees and families. Immediate action will strengthen the economy, protect U.S. jobs and help to keep essential goods services accessible and affordable for all Americans.
