Durbin, Grassley Criticize DHS Decision to Expand H-2B Visa Program Without Necessary Reforms

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today issued the following joint statement criticizing a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decision to release additional H-2B temporary non-agricultural work visas:

“We’ve long expressed concerns that the current H-2B program encourages lower wages and poor working conditions for American and immigrant guest workers alike.  H-2B visa reforms are long overdue and we continue to oppose the expansion of this program unless it is accompanied by meaningful reforms.  We urge the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor to work together to quickly strengthen H-2B regulations so that workers are better protected and the program is improved for responsible users.”

The Senators’ statement follows the announcement that DHS will make available an additional 35,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2022. The Senators were likewise critical of similar H-2B visa expansions during the previous administration.

-30-