What are they? Temporary nonimmigrant classifications that allow noncitizens to come to the US to perform temporary or seasonal work that is non agricultural if persons capable of performing such a service to labor cannot be found in this country.
This program has been critical to Dorchester's crab-picking operation for a number of years. These legal workers create hundreds of additional jobs for local residents by their activity.
The program allows up to 66,000 new visas are available each year in this category. Increasingly the number is reached earlier in the year which has resulted in problems for the seafood industry which do not need their workers until later. As the industry sought help the matter was previously caught up in the overall immigration debate and was held hostage. Thanks to Senator Barbara Mikulski and Representative Frank Kratovil the program was saved.
This program requires wages to be paid at prevailing rates, in the case of the seafood industry a rate higher than minimum wage. The US Dept. of Labor previously proposed a arbitrary rate increase to become effective Jan.1, 2012. Recently DOL quietly proposed an amended date of 10/1/2011 (copy attached below). They are taking comments regarding this change until July 8, 2011.
The Dorchester Chamber of Commerce strongly urges local business interest to write their Congressional delegation protesting this action. A sample letter is attached below for your use. Another option would be to utilize the coalition link www.h2bworkforcecoalition.com. to contact your Senator or Representative Harris. They need to hear from you to gain the number needed to support this change.
H-2B Visas are critical to our economy and to the way of life on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The majority of Maryland's crab industry is in Dorchester County.
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