Harris Urges DHS to Re-allocate Unused H-2B Visas

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) sent a letter today urging Acting Secretary Chad Wolf of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to re-allocate unused FY 20 H-2B visas to meet the ongoing needs of the seafood and other essential industries. The H-2B visa program provides visas for temporary work in seasonal, non-agricultural industries and is subject to an annual cap of 66,000 visas. The visas are utilized extensively by seafood processors and crab houses, among others, on the Eastern Shore.

Rep. Andy Harris made the following statement:

"I sent a letter to Acting Secretary Wolf urging him to re-allocate any unused FY 20 H-2B visas to ensure that our crab houses and other essential businesses have access to the H-2B workers necessary to carry out their operations. As a member of the Committee on Appropriations, I co-authored the amendment in the FY 2020 Appropriations bill that authorized the release of additional visas by DHS, and appreciate the Administration's recent actions to release the additional visas. These guest workers are crucial to the economy of Maryland's First District. Our iconic crab houses and seafood processing industry are experiencing increased demand for their products while still struggling to meet their labor needs despite record numbers of unemployment caused by COVID-19."

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