Seasonal workers are vital to our Nations economy. Without the services these workers provide. many of our businesses would cease to operate. These visas are particularly important to the seafood and hospitality industries. Currently. the United States caps H2B visas at 66.000 per year. Last year. Congress adopted the "Save Our Small Businesses Act." which allocates the seasonal visas more equitably between the winter and summer months. It also exempts certain returning Seasonal Workers from the cap. making more visas available to new workers. Prior to the acts adoption. the H2B visa cap was often met during the winter months. well before the summer season. resulting in a lack of available visas for much needed summer workers in the seafood and hospitality industry. Alaskas salmon industry is especially vulnerable when there are not enough temporary seasonal visas for the summer months. Salmon roe is a product that must be overseen by Japanese "Supervisor Technicians" who grade the salmon roe prior to sale to Japanese consumers. Due to the particular grading and processing demands of the roe. without the technicians and the special certification. the Japanese will not buy the Alaskan roe. In some cases the value of the roe is greater than the flesh of the fish. so you can imagine how important it is to the salmon industry to get these technicians and certifications each year. Senator MIKULSKIs amendment simply extends to 2009 the "Save Our Small Businesses Act." Securing a reasonable number of visas for seasonal industries is absolutely necessary. 152. Pt. 4 April 3. 2006 I urge the Senate to vote in favor of this amendment.
Keywords matched
visa visas H2B