Audit Finds Many Unused Visas Still Available

Source: www.TurfMagazine.com

EASTON, Md. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will make available thousands of unused H-2B non-immigrant visas after an audit found there were more available, reports The Easton (Maryland) Star Democrat.

Employers who count on the extra workers can thank Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D.-Md.) who, on April 29 hand-delivered a letter and urged to Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Jeh Johnson to conduct an immediate and expedited audit on the number of non-immigrant H-2B visas that have been both requested and used in 2015. She requested that any unused visas uncovered as a part of the audit be promptly made available to eligible businesses that have been unable to secure workers due to the cap being reached.

The audit found that between 3,000 and 6,000 H-2B non-immigrant visas were unused.

“My job is to make sure we protect our borders and protect American jobs … Every time there is a bureaucratic rule change or legal interpretation that harms their ability to operate, these businesses lose another piece of their livelihood. They need a functioning H-2B program,” Mikulski said.

For the full article at the The Easton Star Democrat, click here.