H2B Returning Worker Exemption Advances in House Markup

What’s new:

• The Returning Worker Exemption language passed yesterday (33-25) in the FY’24 Homeland Security markup in the Appropriations Committee.

What’s next:

• We will continue to advocate for the Returning Worker Exemption to be included in the final Appropriations bill.

What’s important:

• This is the first time in years the Returning Worker Exemption has been included in the committee passed bill.

Why it matters:

• The H-2B program is vital to helping independent hotels and resorts in remote vacation destinations fill seasonal roles, but the program is capped at 66,000 visas each year. AHLA is asking Congress to modify the H-2B nonimmigrant visa program by exempting returning workers from the inadequate 66,000 annual visa cap. These employees would provide critical staffing relief for seasonal small business hotels and help to rebuild the post-pandemic economy.