Exercise of Time-Limited Authority To Increase the Fiscal Year 2019 Numerical Limitation for the H-2B Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Program

The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, has decided to increase the numerical limitation on H-2B nonimmigrant visas to authorize the issuance of up to, but not more than, an additional 30,000 visas through the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. The Departments have determined that employers who attest that they are likely to suffer irreparable harm may request these supplemental visas only for workers who were issued an H-2B visa or otherwise granted H-2B status in FY 2016, 2017, or 2018. This increase is based on a time-limited statutory authority and does not affect the H-2B program in future fiscal years. The Departments are promulgating regulations to implement this determination.