DHS Announces H-2B Visa Reversal, Suspends Program to Prioritize American Workers Over Seasonal Immigrants

Previously, we reported and last night on Fox News, Tucker Carlson highlighted how the DHS has continued to go about business as usual in regards to the visa programs despite record unemployment numbers. He said 20,000 new H-2B visas had been released on Wednesday.

PLEASE use your discretionary powers to DECREASE the number of work visas going to foreign workers at this time when so many Americans are out of work, NOT to increase the number. It only makes sense! Put Americans first.https://t.co/iOmbtrneOL

— Drew Robbins (@DrewTRobbins) April 2, 2020

Today, DHS released a tweet saying that “DHS’s rule on the H-2B cap is on hold pending review due to present economic circumstances. No additional H-2B visas will be released until further notice.”

They claimed in the tweet that they were clearing up misreporting but on March 26th, they released an announcement saying that “The H-2 program is essential to the economy and food security of the United States and is a national security priority. Therefore, we intend to continue processing H-2 cases as much as possible, as permitted by post resources and local government restrictions.”

To clear up various misreporting – DHS’s rule on the H-2B cap is on hold pending review due to present economic circumstances. No additional H-2B visas will be released until further notice. Per the statute, H-2B allocations are set in consultation with @USDOL

DHS is looking at additional measures to protect American workers now and when normal economic activity is able to resume in the future. In the meantime, the @StateDept has suspended routine visa services overseas.

DHS is looking at additional measures to protect American workers now and when normal economic activity is able to resume in the future. In the meantime, the @StateDept has suspended routine visa services overseas. https://t.co/29lE40Jvgz

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) April 2, 2020

Republican Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley tweeted out after hearing about the decision that DHS “made the right decision by not expanding h2b worker visas.” He continued by saying, “American workers sidelined by coronavirus” shouldn’t have to compete with “cheap foreign labor/temp foreign workers for job.”

Dept of homeland security made the right decision by not expanding h2b worker visas American workers sidelined by coronavirus shldnt hv 2compete w cheap foreign labor/temp foreign workers for job Now is no time to increase visas

Dept of homeland security made the right decision by not expanding h2b worker visas American workers sidelined by coronavirus shldnt hv 2compete w cheap foreign labor/temp foreign workers for job Now is no time to increase visas

— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) April 2, 2020