Pingree: Release of Additional H-2B Visas a Win for Maine’s Small Businesses and Economy

Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) welcomed news from the Biden-Harris Administration that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL) will double the number of available H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas available for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 to nearly 131,000. The additional 64,716 H-2B visas that will be available is on top of the congressionally mandated 66,000 H-2B visas that are available each fiscal year, representing the maximum permitted under the authority provided by Congress.

"H-2B visas are essential for seasonal businesses that depend on temporary workers, including many here in Maine- hotels, ski resorts, seafood processors, restaurants, and other industries across the country," said Pingree. "When these businesses have certainty and stability, Maine communities and our economy thrive. Common sense immigration policies like the H-2B visa program help address the workforce shortages that small businesses in Maine continue to face. These seasonal worker visas have strong bipartisan support in Congress, and as a leader on the House Appropriations Committee, I'm proud to spearhead efforts to expand and improve the H-2B program."

"The Department of Homeland Security is committed to further growing our nation's strong economy," said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. "By maximizing the use of the H-2B visa program, the Department of Homeland Security is helping to ensure the labor needs of American businesses are met, keeping prices down for consumers while strengthening worker protections and deterring irregular migration to the United States."

Pingree has long supported increased H-2B visas to help small businesses fill seasonal job openings. In June, she led a bipartisan amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations bill to increase the cap on seasonal labor visas, or H-2B visas.

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