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H-2B Fly-in Supports Returning Worker Exemption

On September  6, more than 250 pool and spa business owners, landscapers, seafood packers, hoteliers, and restaurateurs met for the sixth H-2B Fly-in in Washington, DC, to support the Save Our Small & Seasonal Businesses Act of 2007, S.988/H.R.1843. This bill would extend the H-2B exemption—due to end September 30—that exempts returning seasonal foreign workers from counting against the annual 66,000 visa cap on new foreign workers. The bill would make it much more likely that pool and spa businesses can hire or rehire foreign workers in 2008.

During the morning, attendees were briefed by Save Small Business president Hank Lavery, immigration attorney Don Mooers, Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) aide Erin Corcoran, and Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) aide Josephine Eckert. Afterward, the attendees organized into regional groups to meet with their senators and representatives.

Throughout the summer, business owners lobbied for passage of the bill. Their efforts, plus the Fly-in, have resulted in 23 Senate and 58 House co-sponsors to date.

APSP members are asked to contact their senators and House representatives to urge their support and to follow up with letters and faxes. This critical legislation would help small business employers–who rely on seasonal workers–to hire qualified people to work during peak months. It would provide relief by extending an existing exemption in the H-2B visa cap for experienced workers who have participated in the H-2B program in the past three years and followed our laws while here, and then returned to their native countries as required.

For information, visit www.savesmallbusiness.org, or contact Hank Lavery at HLavery@milleniumpool.com or 703.774.6971.