MANCHIN, BIPARTISAN COLLEAGUES URGE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO ADDRESS EXTREME DELAYS IN PROCESSING SEASONAL WORK VISAS

Press Release

"We write to express concern about the Department of Labor (DOL)'s failure to process H-2B visa labor certifications in a timely manner. As you know, many seasonal businesses rely on H-2B visas to meet the demands of their busy season. Before employers can apply to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for a visa, they must first receive approval for a labor certification from DOL. This approval certifies that the employer has demonstrated that they cannot find U.S. workers to fill these jobs.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

"These delays mean that many employers have not been able to even begin their visa application process with DHS until after the date on which they needed their workers to start. This is entirely unacceptable. We understand that demand for these visas has increased in recent years as seasonal industries face extensive workforce shortages. However, DOL must ensure it is able to meet this increased demand, as its current processes are causing substantial hardship to employers in our states. We stand ready to work with you to improve these processes and ensure that DOL is able to meet the needs of our seasonal employers."

Source