Rep. Zeldin Announces DHS Lift of H-2B Visa Cap, Allocating Additional 30,000 Visas for Remainder of FY 2019

Press Release

Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) issued the following statement after Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen decided to allocate an additional 30,000 H-2B visas for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2019.

"I applaud the Secretary of Homeland Security for lifting the cap on H-2B visas for the remainder of this year to help ensure Long Island employers get the seasonal workers they need," said Congressman Zeldin. "However, the fight isn't over. Suffolk County businesses have experienced uncertainty year after year and they need stability and consistency for the seasons ahead. I look forward to continuing to advocate on behalf of these hardworking Long Islanders so they can continue to grow their businesses in our community and strengthen our local economy."

Additional information is forthcoming and the guidance that will be published by the Department of Homeland Security here will outline next steps for businesses and their current H-2B visa applications.

Last week, Congressman Zeldin and local businesses called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to raise the H-2B Visa Program cap to ensure local businesses have the adequate workforce they need ahead of the upcoming peak season. Additionally, Congressman Zeldin continued his call on Congress to enact a more permanent, long term solution to improve the H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs.

President of the Montauk Chamber of Commerce Paul Monte said during the press conference, "It's no secret that our sleepy little hamlet of Montauk has become a well-known and extremely popular vacation destination. Each year, thanks to our residents and loyal visitors, hundreds of millions of dollars in spending are generated just by the accommodations, food & beverage and retail industries in our little hamlet. Over the past 10 years it has become increasingly difficult to find homegrown labor to fill our seasonal positions; and now with our booming economy and record low unemployment it is almost impossible. The solution to this ongoing problem has been the H-2B Visa, guest worker program. This program is the lifeblood of our resort town and many others just like it throughout America. Without the seasonal workers provided by this program many businesses would be forced to scale back on their services or in some cases actually close their doors for good."

Landscape Specialist Gordon Andrews of Hampton Bays said last week, "With our busiest season fast approaching, local business owners are worried we won't have the workforce we need to meet our peak season's demand. Year after year, we experience the same uncertainty, which hurts the potential growth of our business and our local economy. If we are unable to fill these jobs with the available U.S. workforce, we must be able to fill them immediately through the H-2B program. I thank Congressman Zeldin for being a vocal advocate on this issue."

John Tortorella of Southampton said last week, "As a business owner, the ability to provide for my customers during peak season is reliant on the workforce provided through the H-2B Visa Program. In addition to lifting the current H-2B visa cap, there are vital reforms that must be made to the underlying program so business owners like myself, don't have to worry about having the labor we need season after season. I thank Congressman Zeldin's office for their open communication on this issue, and urge all Members of Congress to follow in Congressman Zeldin's footsteps in fighting for long-term reforms and stability for this vital program."

"The workforce provided by the H-2A Visa Program is vital to enabling the farmers in Suffolk County to continue to feed our local communities," said Rob Carpenter, Director of Long Island Farm Bureau after the event. "At every level -- from the farms to the halls of Congress -- it is critical that everyone understands what an important role this program, and the workforce it provides, plays in our communities and for our small businesses that are the backbone of our towns"

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