PLANET Organizes Survey of Contractors Affected by H-2B Cap

Following joint conferences with the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) and Essential Worker Immigration Coalition, the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) has organized a multi-industry survey open to any and all companies that participate in the H-2B program. Data and comments collected through the survey will be used as part of a grassroots push to resolve the H-2B visa cap issue affecting so many companies.

“The data that is gathered is critical ammunition in our battle as we work with the government to show the drastic economic impact on their enforcement of the cap,” notes PLANET leadership in a press release on the organization’s Web site. The 28-point survey asks a range of questions related to the H-2B program, including:

• If you filed an application for H-2B workers for the 2005 season, have your visas been approved and issued by USCIS (U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service), formerly INS (Immigration & Naturalization Service)?
• How many visas did you request for the 2005 season?
• If you could not get H-2B seasonal workers how would you approach filling your need for such workers?
• How many U.S. jobs in your company (including management, full-time workers and other seasonal options) depend on the availability of H-2B workers?
• When was the last time you felt you could rely on an adequate, local, legal labor supply?
• If you are unable to obtain the workers you requested, what is your estimated economic loss?

The survey also includes fields where participants may enter their company and contact information, as well as comments about how the H-2B cap has affected their businesses and any relationships they have with state senators, representatives or other members of the executive and legislative branches of government. PLANET encourages companies to fill out the survey as completely as possible so as to obtain a full an accurate account of the H-2B cap’s affect. Moreover, as the 66,000-visa cap is being reached earlier and earlier, companies who did receive their H-2B workers this year also are invited to complete the survey with the knowledge that their companies could be affected in years to come.

In an effort to jump-start a grassroots legislative effort, PLANET would like to have as many companies as possible participate in the survey during the week of Jan. 17 through Jan. 23. As PLANET President Dan Foley noted in the organization’s meeting with ANLA on Jan. 12, the longer the associations and their member companies wait to participate in this legislative push, the less time there will be to alleviate labor pressures for companies affected by the cap this year.

Click here to participate in the H-2B survey. 

In addition to organizing this research effort, PLANET also has drafted sample letters regarding the H-2B crisis, which companies are encouraged to send to their legislators to address the issue. Also, any individuals or companies interested in participating in this grassroots efforts should contact the PLANET offices at 800/395-2522 or visit the PLANET Web site for more information.