Important Legislation
regarding
2008
H-2B Visa Program Update
PLEASE FOLLOW THE
INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS LETTER AND CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN TO URGE SUPPORT FOR
THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION.
Regarding: WHBPA-2008 H-2B
Visa Program Update – UNITED STATES SENATE HAS PASSED LEGISLATION
INCLUDING THE RETURNING WORKER EXEMPTION – STILL NEEDS PASSAGE BY US HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES
Earlier this month we sent an
update indicating the H-2B numerical limit, or “cap” had been reached
for the first half of the current fiscal year. This update explained the
ramifications of Congress failing to extend and reinstate the H-2B returning
worker exemption. In this update, we also asked you to contact your US Senators
and Congressional Representatives, urging them to act on this important piece
of legislation. Countless people wrote these letters, and yesterday evening
(October 16, 2007) the United States Senate passed legislation that included a
one year emergency extension of the H-2B Returning Worker Extension. This Bill
(the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill) will now move to a
House-Senate Conference. This Conference will decide whether to retain the H-2B
Returning Worker Exemption.
As previously mentioned, there
is strong support for the returning worker exemption from various industries
that rely on these returning workers just like the horse industry does.
Progress has been made, but everyone must get involved in
contacting their Congressional Representatives if we are to have a successful
2008 H-2B visa season. We are attaching a sample letter you can write and send
to your Congressional Representatives if you have not yet done so, as well as
web link to their contact information.
Please be advised that all
H-2B visa holders currently in the United States must timely depart in order to
comply with United States Federal Regulations. Should your H-2B workers have
any questions, please have them contact our office at 858-259-8860.
Thank you for your time and
attention to these matters and as always, please feel free to contact Attorneys
Lisa Galliath and Samantha Mendis, or H-2 Director Luis Gavaldon with any
questions you may have at 858-259-0755.
Very truly yours,
International Law Group, LLP
514 Via de la Valle, Suite 301
Solana
Beach, CA 92075
858-259-0755 Voice
858-259-6091 Fax
CONGRESSIONAL
REPRESENTATIVE LETTER
Follow the following link to contact your
Congressional Representative regarding the urgently needed H-2B returning
worker exemption extension:
http://capwiz.com/aila2/issues/alert/?alertid=10162476
SAMPLE LETTER TO
REPRESENTATIVE
Dear Representative _______________,
I am
writing to urge you to cosponsor the bipartisan "Save Our Small and Seasonal
Business Act of 2007" (H.R. 1843) introduced by Congressman Bart Stupak. This
legislation is of critical importance to small businesses in our community and
the U.S. economy in general.
The Save Our Small and Seasonal Business
Act would help small business employers who are reliant on seasonal workers to
hire qualified individuals to work during peak months. The bill would provide
much needed immediate relief by extending an existing exemption in the H-2B
visa cap for experienced foreign workers who have participated in the H-2B
program within the past three years, have followed all our laws while here, and
then returned to their native countries as required. This exemption expired on
September 30, 2007 and renewal is urgently needed.
I respectfully urge
you to support the "Save Our Small and Seasonal Business Act" (H.R. 1843) and
help small businesses such as ours stay in business.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
City, State, Zip
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