US to issue more seasonal worker visas from end of July

John F. Kelly, the US Homeland Security Secretary, has taken a decision to grant a ‘limited number’ of seasonal guest worker visas from late July, the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) announced on 21 June. This move will reportedly give a bit of a relief to seasonal businesses such as summer resorts, landscapers and seafood processors who depend heavily on overseas workers. As the Congress granted the authority very late, the number of visas that would be issued would be much fewer than around 70,000 visas they could have issued otherwise. Dave Lapan, the department spokesman, was quoted by The Washington Times as saying that they were doing their best as the time frame was short. As per the law, 66,000 seasonal worker visas, exactly halved between the summer and winter seasons, are allotted to companies that are not in a position to meet their labour needs with the nationals of the US. Mr. Kelly is said to be working with the Labor Department to come up with the precise visa numbers that the department can issue. According to Mr. Lapan, the visas will be issued to businesses where the scarcity of the foreign workers would affect the interests of American workers who depend on them. He said how many will be issued needs to be seen. If you want to travel to the US, get in touch with Y-Axis, a leading immigration consultancy company, to apply for a visa.