Carper Statement on DHS Announcement on Additional H-2B Visas

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that American businesses will be able to hire an additional 15,000 workers under the H-2B Temporary Nonagricultural Worker program. Earlier this year, Senator Carper requested that up to 66,000 visas be made available under authority provided by Congress.

“Today’s decision by the Department of Homeland Security, along with the Department of Labor, to lift the cap on seasonal H-2B visas that businesses in Delaware and across the country rely on to fill seasonal jobs is a positive development that may be too little, too late. I’ve heard from a number of Delaware business owners in the restaurant, tourism, construction and landscaping industries that are already strained because they have been unable to hire enough workers for this busy summer season.

“Small businesses are the most powerful engines in the American economy, and the Trump Administration should be doing everything possible to help them hire the workers they need. Part and parcel of doing that is speedily processing applications for needed guest worker visas. I urge the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor to expedite their efforts and I also encourage businesses in the First State not to waste any time and apply now for H-2B visas for the workers they need this season.”

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