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SEA 2024 STRATEGY SESSION AND RETREAT
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SEA ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION ACT

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SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT ALLIANCE
THE HOME OF H-2B PROGRAM ADVOCACY

SEA's Objective

Improve Labor Market Test

SEA is working to improve awareness of H-2B jobs to American workers.

Then Eliminate the Cap

A robust labor market test eliminates the need for a cap on the H-2B program.

Then Institute e-verify

If H-2B is uncapped, every employer in an H-2B occupation should be required to participate in E-Verify.

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Applicants

EMPLOYERS SPEAK OUT ON LABOR SHORTAGE

Tara Foreman, Owner of Captain Charlie’s Seafood Inc, Engelhard, North Carolina

NC’s largest crab processor, representing approximately 25% of the total # of crabs caught in NC, will be down 40% in production and the local fishermen who depend on Captain Charlie’s to buy their crabs, will be impacted.

 

Marty Grunder, Owner of Grunder Landscaping Co, Dayton, Ohio

Without H-2B workers, this small seasonal business will see a 30% revenue decline, potential layoffs of several of its 35 full-time, year-round American workers and 7 trucks are parked for the season.

 

Peter Foster, Owner of Stage Neck Inn in York, Maine

Without H-2B workers this year, this small family run hotel will have to reduce room inventory, reduce the inn’s restaurant’s hours and overwork his 60 full-time, year-round American workers.

Matt McDonagh, Owner of Big Rock Amusements, Frankenmuth, Michigan

Without H-2B workers, will be forced to close down Big Rock Amusements and lay off his 20 American workers.

Nick Brummel, Owner of Brummel Lawn & Landscape, Blue Springs, Missouri

Small owner-operated business was denied access to the program this year due to the insufficient number of H-2B visas. Impact = revenue decrease of 20-30%; decrease in supply and equipment purchases; American workers overworked.

Colon and Alice Grandy, Owner of Grandy’s Farm Market, Grandy, North Carolina

Colon and Alice Grandy established their farm stand on the Outer Banks of NC 40 years ago but this year their business will not open because they don’t have H-2B Workers.

H-2B support tracker

SEA is moving the needle

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HOUSE SUPPORTERS

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House opponents

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Senate Supporters

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Testimonials

Aubrey–Vincent
Aubrey Vincent
Sales Manager, Lindy's Seafood

"I joined SEA because I knew we needed to be proactive in fixing the H2B Program. The industry’s advocacy efforts had stagnated. SEA was the loudest voice I heard trying to reach a long term solution, resulting in more progress in the past year than I've seen in the whole 20 years our company has been in the program. I believe SEA's approach of collaboration, effective communication, and thinking outside the box is the path forward for H-2B program advocacy and is the organization companies who depend on the H-2B program should belong to. "

Ferris MyCue
Ferris MyCue
Owner, Grass Works Lawn Care
Austin, TX

"After dealing with the unreliability of the H-2B program, I knew that I needed to play my part to fix the program. I saw how active SEA was and decided to join. Since joining SEA, I have become much more effective in my advocacy efforts and am confident that we will finally fix this program. I encourage every employer to join and do their part to obtain cap relief. You can’t sit on the sidelines and expect good results!"

LeslieDowns
Lesli Downs
President, Southern Impact

"Since the founding of SEA, SEA has made unmatched strides towards H2B cap relief. We are closer than ever before to a permanent cap increase because of SEA’s efforts and the relationships SEA has formed with H2B employers and legislators. As an agent, it is helpful to be a member of an organization with other agents and active employers. The information the members provide and the resources I have access to ensure I am on top of all aspects of the ever shifting H-2B program. This helps me provide the best possible service to my clients."

Scott Muelhauser Crop
Scott Muelhauser
Owner, Scott’s Power Equipment
St. Louis, MO

“I saw the direct impact of the H-2B visa cap on my customers. My customers who were capped out could not afford new equipment. The H-2B cap has cost my business over $2mm in sales. The H-2B visa cap doesn’t only affect the end user and its American workers but also equipment dealers like Scott’s Power but suppliers and even equipment manufacturers. This is why I chose to get involved and join SEA. SEA is the most active organization advocating for a permanent H-2B cap fix. I urge every outdoor equipment dealer to support SEA and to do their part to obtain an H-2B cap fix."

Timeline of legislative efforts

10.01.2017
Seasonal Employment Alliance established
10.01.2017
03.23.2018
Fiscal year 2018 Omnibus passes, grants Department of Homeland Security discretion to release up to 69,320 additional visas
03.23.2018
05.01.2018
After being told by industry lobbyists that the Returning Worker Exemption (RWE) is dead on arrival, SEA drafts Certified Seasonal Employer language that would increase the cap and set aside visas for past users of the program
05.01.2018
05.31.2018
DHS releases additional 15,000 visas
05.31.2018
10.01.2018
Negotiations begin with Senators Grassley and Tillis on H-2B reform package. Grassley makes clear he will not support a Returning Worker Exemption
10.01.2018
11.27.18
Tillis/Harris language announced. Language included doubling of the cap, SEA’s CSE language, and made E-Verify mandatory as a condition of using the H-2B program
11.27.18
12.21.2018
Government shuts down, FY19 DHS bill is not passed. Tillis/Harris language is now dead.
12.21.2018
03.29.2019
DHS announces intention to release additional 30,000 H-2B visas
03.29.2019
05.08.2019
Final rule is published outlining the filing instructions for the additional 30,000 visas.
05.08.2019
02.20.20
WSJ reports that Trump administration intends to release 45,000 additional H-2B visas for FY20
02.20.20
04.02.20
DHS announces that supplemental visa rule is on hold "due to present economic circumstances"
04.02.20
06.22.20
President Trump signs proclamation suspending the issuance of H-2B visas until December 31, 2020
06.22.20
04.22.2021
DHS announces its intention to release an additional 22,000 H-2B visas for the 2021 season with 6,000 of these visas reserved for nationals of the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala.
04.22.2021
09.30.21
USCIS announces FY22 first cap is met, a full month earlier than FY21.
09.30.21
12.21.21
DHS announces, for the first time ever, 20,000 additional visas towards the FY22 first half cap.
12.21.21
01.04.22
DOL announces that it received 7,875 H-2B applications requesting 136,555 worker positions during the January 1-3, 2022 filing period, a 41% increase over FY21
01.04.22
01.28.22
H-2B temporary final rule published in the Federal Register making additional 20,000 visas available to employers.
01.28.22
03.31.22
DHS announces intention to release 35,000 additional H-2B visas towards the FY22 second half cap, bring total to 55,000 visas released for FY22, a record.
03.31.22
05.18.22
H-2B temporary final rule published in the Federal Register making additional 35,000 visas available to employers.
05.18.22
DOL announces employers filed 1,360 applications requesting 29,856 worker positions with an October 1, 2022, work start date, a 41% increase over FY22.
09.12.22
USCIS announces FY23 first cap is met, eighteen days earlier than FY22.​
09.12.22
10.12.222
DHS announces intent to release the maximum number of visas authorized by Congress, 64,716, for FY23. The release is split between the first half and second half (two releases for the second half) and visas specifically allocated to the Northern Central American countries
10.12.222
12.13.22
H-2B rule published. Rule explains filing instructions for each allocation
12.13.22
12.16.22
SEA announces the Seasonal Employment Protection Act, the culmination of a historic negotiation between SEA and the labor unions. The language increases the cap, provides industry specific exemptions from the cap and provides long-time program users permanent workforce certainty
12.16.22
12.20.22
Seasonal Employment Protection Act not included in the FY23 Omnibus due to opposition from Senator Grassley. SEA and labor pledge to work with our allies to get the act introduced as legislation in the next Congress
12.20.22
02.07.23
SEA restarts negotiations with the labor unions.
02.07.23
July 24
Returning Worker Exemption stripped from House FY24 DHS Appropriations bill.
July 24
October 24
SEA announces support for Senator Graham and Padilla's Seasonal Employment Protection Act.
October 24

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