H-2B Visa Program Faces Threat From Appropriations Bill

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider the fiscal year 2022 Department of Labor Appropriations bill July 15 and language within the bill could devastate the H-2B visa program, according to a press release from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. The NTRA urges industry members to contact their representatives immediately and ask for this language to be removed from the bill. 

The language of concern appears on pages 46-50 of the bill and would make the H-2B visa program difficult for many employers to use. Specifically, the draft bill would:

• Prohibit industries from using the H-2B program if they experienced unemployment in any of the previous 12 months over 10%;
• Prohibit construction industries from using the program even in seasonal locations or occupations;
• Increase the baseline for wages to at least 150% of the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher;
• Require wage compliance with a collaborative bargaining agreement for your industry in your area, even if you are not a party to the agreement;
• Ban participation in the program for labor/workforce-related infractions outside of the scope of the H-2B program.

"This appropriations bill contains alarming language for any business or industry that relies on the H-2B visa program to operate," said NTRA president and CEO Alex Waldrop. "We ask trainers and others in horse racing to contact their representative today to help get this language removed."

As suggested by the H-2B Workforce Coalition, of which the NTRA is a member, industry members should:

• Call your representative today and ask him or her to urge the House Appropriations Committee leadership and their party leadership to remove Sections 116, 117, and 118 of Fiscal Year 2022 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Appropriations Bill before the legislation is considered by the Appropriations Committee on Thursday. You can reach your Representative through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121. Once connected to the office, please ask to speak to the staff person who handles Department of Labor appropriations. 
• Send an email to your Representative using this link. 

The H-2B visa guest worker program is a nonimmigrant visa program used by many industries that need temporary non-agricultural help when domestic workers are unavailable. For the horse racing industry, trainers rely heavily on the H-2B program to fill various backside positions.