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RuleSignificant2021-110482021-05-25

Exercise of Time-Limited Authority To Increase the Fiscal Year 2021 Numerical Limitation for the H-2B Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Program and Portability Flexibility for H-2B Workers Seeking To Change Employers

Homeland Security Department, Labor Department, Employment and Training Administration

Abstract

The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, is exercising his time-limited Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 authority and increasing the numerical limitation on H-2B nonimmigrant visas to authorize the issuance of no more than 22,000 additional visas through the end of the second half of FY 2021 to those businesses likely to suffer irreparable harm, as attested by the employer on a new attestation form. In addition to making additional visas available under the FY 2021 time-limited authority, DHS is exercising its general H-2B regulatory authority to temporarily provide portability flexibility by allowing H-2B workers who are already in the United States to begin work immediately after an H-2B petition (supported by a valid temporary labor certification) is received by USCIS, and before it is approved.

Action & Dates

Action
Temporary rule.
Dates
The amendments to title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations in this rule are effective from May 25, 2021 through May 28, 2024, although DHS will not approve any H-2B petition under the provisions related to the supplemental numerical allocation after September 30, 2021, and the provisions related to portability are only available to petitioners and H-2B nonimmigrant workers initiating employment through the end of November 22, 2021. The amendments to title 20 of the Code of Federal Regulations in this rule are effective from May 25, 2021 through September 30, 2021, except for 20 CFR 655.68 which is effective from May 25, 2021 through September 30, 2024.
Effective Date
2021-05-25

CFR References

Topics

Administrative practice and procedureAliensCultural exchange programsEmploymentForeign officialsForests and forest productsFraudHealth professionsImmigrationLaborPassports and visasPenaltiesReporting and recordkeeping requirementsStudentsWages

Document Excerpt

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Homeland Security 8 CFR Parts 214 and 274a [CIS No. 2689-21] RIN 1615-AC72 Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration 20 CFR Part 655 [DOL Docket No. ETA-2021-0005] RIN 1205-AC07 AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Employment and Training Administration and Wage and Hour Division, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). ACTION: Temporary rule. SUMMARY: The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, is exercising his time-limited Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 authority and increasing the numerical limitation on H-2B nonimmigrant visas to authorize the issuance of no more than 22,000 additional visas through the end of the second half of FY 2021 to those businesses likely to suffer irreparable harm, as attested by the employer on a new attestation form. In addition to making additional visas available under the FY 2021 time-limited authority, DHS is exercising its general H-2B regulatory authority to temporarily provide portability flexibility by allowing H-2B workers who are already in the United States to begin work immediately after an H-2B petition (supported by a valid temporary labor certification) is received by USCIS, and before it is approved. DATES: The amendments to title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations in this rule are effective from May 25, 2021 through May 28, 2024, although DHS will not approve any H-2B petition under the provisions related to the

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Full Document

Citation: 86 FR 28198