Delahunt Says H-2B Visa Exemption Renewal 'Unlikely' This Year

Delahunt Says H-2B Visa Exemption Renewal 'Unlikely' This Year

By Brian Welch

May 6, 2008

The lawmaker who has been working to renew exemptions to the H-2B visa program says there is little possibility of Congressional action on the issue in time for the summer vacation season.

“We have had ongoing conversations and discussions, but in terms of real action, with a plan of implementation, at this moment none exists. I would say in the near future it is unlikely that we will see an extension of the H-2B visa exemption,” said U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt, D-Massachusetts.

As a result, resort managers across the nation will have to make do with fewer temporary seasonal workers from other countries. Congress allowed an exemption to the H-2B visa program to expire on September 30, 2007. The H-2B program provides visas for foreign seasonal workers in the lodging, restaurant, and tourism-related industries.

The program is capped at 66,000 visas, and that number was reached in January. But in recent years Congress has authorized cap exemptions for returning workers. The current immigration reform debate is blamed in part for the failure to renew the exemption.

With time running out for this year, Delahunt says the issue should be resolved by next summer.

“I think that’s much more realistic, and I think that’s the focus of our efforts now. I know in my case, I’ve spoken with numerous businesses on the Cape and the Island, and elsewhere for that matter, people from all over the country,” said Delahunt.

“We’ve attempted to be frank and candid because we know that they need to make plans. So my hope is to move expeditiously, but realistically to look toward next year to have this issue resolved.”

Delahunt says the impact this summer on the hospitality industry will be severe, and that it will result in economic losses on the local and regional levels.

“To have this occur at this moment when our economy is staggering at best is indeed unfortunate. It exacerbates the problem that we’re all experiencing in terms of an economy that is heavily in debt, and a weak dollar which should translate into more tourists coming, but are we prepared to receive them? That’s the issue and all we can do now is hope,” Delahunt continued.

Congressman Delahunt said resort managers can contact their local member of Congress and their senator and indicate that this isn’t simply about their industry.

“Here we are passing a stimulus package that will cost the taxpayers $100 billion, yet at the same time we’re shooting ourselves in the foot by not passing this exemption,” said Delahunt.