Write, call, and tweet today to save the H-2B program
On Feb. 2, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the H-2B cap was reached for the first half of fiscal 2015. According to the press release, the DHS will reject new H-2B petitions that were received after Jan. 26 and that requested an employment start date prior to April 1.
This announcement follows a December announcement from the Department of Labor (DOL) that it will no longer accept employer-provided H-2B wage surveys. Employers now must rely on the prevailing wage rates derived from the DOL database, which are often higher than those derived from private wage surveys.
What can you do?
• Call your two senators and member of Congress and ask them to pass legislation to reinstate the H-2B returning worker exemption and allow employers to use wage surveys. You can reach your senators and representative through the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-225-3121.
• Click here to send a letter to your senators and representative.
• Tweet about the need for Congress to immediately address the H-2B program. Sample tweets are below:
- Pass legislation today to renew the H-2B returning worker exemption or who else will maintain your property?
- Congress must renew the H-2B returning worker exemption so I can hire legal seasonal workers!
- Save small and seasonal businesses. Congress must renew the H-2B returning worker exemption.
- I am committed to a legal workforce. Congress must renew the H-2B returning worker exemption so I can hire legal seasonal workers!
- Save small and seasonal businesses. Pass legislation today to renew the H-2B returning worker exemption!
• Let Tom Delaney, PLANET’s director of government affairs, know if the cap announcement impacted your company.
Your help is needed to save the H-2B program, so call, write, or tweet today.
Latest from Lawn & Landscape
- LMC Landscape Partners acquires Shinto Landscaping
- Massey Services names Kopplow as regional manager in central Florida
- Sod Solutions adds Australian Turf Solutions
- Explaining Chapel Valley's strategy under new leadership
- Our February issue is now live
- What we learned at the NALP Leaders Forum
- LandCare names Richardson as branch manager of Atlanta South location
- Schill Grounds Management acquires Brogan Landscaping
