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Emergency H-2B Fly-in Scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 5, and Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007
H-2B Emergency Must Be Resolved Before Congress Adjourns for the Year

Date:    Wednesday, Dec. 5 and Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007
Place:   Washington, D.C.
Time:    Briefing at 8:00 a.m.
Locations and details will be posted at www.savesmallbusiness.org.

Your immediate action is requested. Plan to attend this emergency Fly-in to meet with your House Representatives and Senators about the H-2B Returning Worker Exemption. If you cannot attend, try to get a face-to-face meeting in your home state during the recess of the next two weeks.

Why? Despite widespread support in both Houses, legislation to extend the H-2B Returning Worker Exemption has stalled in Congress. The exemption, which expired September 30, 2007, was reintroduced in the Senate spending bill for Commerce, Justice and Science and would extend through September 30, 2008. It would allow foreign workers employed under the H-2B visa program in any of three previous years to receive an H-2R visa not counted against the restrictive 66,000 visa cap. However, it is being contested by anti-immigration and organized labor groups.

Without this exemption, businesses that depend on seasonal foreign workers will probably not be able to hire them in 2008. This affects their ability to accept contracts and may force a reduction in their permanent American workforce.

Talking points:

  • H-2B is not an immigration issue. The H-2B program is a non-immigrant solution for small and seasonal businesses.
  • You have followed the law by participating in the H-2B program. You treat your workers fairly, pay them good wages, and participate in the program only because you cannot find enough seasonal U.S. workers.
  • Your foreign workers have followed the law and go home every year when their work is finished.
  • Without the H-2B Returning Worker Exemption, you will not be able to get the workers you need to keep your business going.

Please visit www.savesmallbusiness.org for up-to-date information about the Fly-in.