DHS/IMMIGRATION: “The Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday [6-21-7] it would make more visas available for seasonal summer workers, responding to complaints from businesses and members of Congress about a significant shortfall.
By law, the number of H-2B visas is capped at 66,000, divided between the summer and winter seasons. This year, the allotment was exhausted in March. The visas, which are for temporary, nonagricultural jobs, are used in tourism and other industries.
In past years, Congress has exempted returning workers from the cap, enabling many additional foreigners to participate in the program, but lawmakers didn’t renew that exception for this year. Instead, in May Congress gave DHS authority to add additional visas if Secretary John Kelly found businesses that were at risk without them.”
-Laura Meckler, “Homeland Security Department to Issue More Visas for Summer Workers,” The Wall Street Journal online, June 21, 2017 04:35pm