Polis Urges DHS to Maintain Visa Program Vital to CO Businesses

Press Release

Representative Jared Polis (D-CO) today sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson urging him to issue an interim rule to allow the H-2B seasonal worker visa program to continue as courts address legal challenges to it. This program is critical to many of Colorado's top industries that rely on seasonal workers admitted on this temporary visa.

"The H-2B visa program is a vital component of Colorado's economy, helping businesses in my District, and across the state, access the workers they need in order to effectively conduct their day-to-day operations," Rep. Polis wrote. "I respectfully urge you to direct the DHS to work with the Office of Management and Budget in issuing an interim final rule to address this issue immediately."

"I am…frustrated by the fact that the DHS did not develop a contingency plan to help serve the countless businesses that rely on the H-2B visa program throughout the United States in spite of the fact that this litigation has been pending since last year," Polis added.

The H-2B visa program provides a vital influx of workers at periods of peak demand for many US businesses when the local workforce is unable to meet the employer's needs. This program has enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress, and is relied upon by companies across the nation, including more than 150 employers in Colorado in 2014.

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