The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), have made a temporary final rule change to certain H-2A requirements! These temporary changes are to help U.S. agricultural employers avoid disruptions in lawful agricultural-related employment! DHS and USDA are working to protect the nation’s food supply chain and lessen impacts during this public health emergency.
The rule change allows:
- An H-2B employer to employ an H-2B nonimmigrant physically present in the United States while the employer’s H-2B petition on behalf of that nonimmigrant is still pending before USCIS. The temporary employment authorization will last for up to 60 days.
- Allows H-2B workers essential to the U.S. food supply chain to stay beyond the three-year maximum allowable period of stay in the United States.
For important details please read the USCIS News Release, “DHS Offers Flexibilities to Increase Food Security, Stabilize U.S. Supply Chain During COVID-19“.
Source of Information:
USCIS (USCIS.gov), 5/12/20, New Release:
DHS Offers Flexibilities to Increase Food Security, Stabilize U.S. Supply Chain During COVID-19