[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 25, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28198-28234]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11048]



[[Page 28197]]

Vol. 86

Tuesday,

No. 99

May 25, 2021

Part II





Department of Homeland Security





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8 CFR Parts 214 and 274a





Department of Labor





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Employment and Training Administration





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20 CFR Part 655





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; Temporary Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 86 , No. 99 / Tuesday, May 25, 2021 / Rules 
and Regulations  

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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


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

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.

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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 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.
    The Office of Foreign Labor Certification within the U.S. 
Department of Labor will be accepting comments in connection with the 
new information collection Form ETA-9142B-CAA-4 associated with this 
rule until July 26, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments on the new information 
collection Form ETA-9142B-CAA-4, identified by Regulatory Information 
Number (RIN) 1205-AC07 electronically by the following method:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions on the website for submitting comments.
    Instructions: Include the agency's name and the RIN 1205-AC07 in 
your submission. All comments received will become a matter of public 
record and will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov. 
Please do not include any personally identifiable information or 
confidential business information you do not want publicly disclosed.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regarding 8 CFR parts 214 and 274a: 
Charles L. Nimick, Chief, Business and Foreign Workers Division, Office 
of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 
Department of Homeland Security, 5900 Capital Gateway Drive, Camp 
Springs, MD 20746; telephone 240-721-3000 (not a toll-free call).
    Regarding 20 CFR part 655 and Form ETA-9142B-CAA-4: Brian D. 
Pasternak, Administrator, Office of Foreign Labor Certification, 
Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave NW, Room N-5311, Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 
693-8200 (this is not a toll-free number).
    Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may access the 
telephone numbers above via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal 
Information Relay Service at 1-877-889-5627 (TTY/TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Executive Summary
II. Background
    A. Legal Framework
    B. H-2B Numerical Limitations Under the INA
    C. FY 2021 Omnibus
    D. Joint Issuance of the Final Rule
III. Discussion
    A. Statutory Determination
    B. Numerical Increase and Allocation of up to 22,000 Visas
    C. Returning Workers
    D. Returning Worker Exemption for up to 6,000 Visas for 
Nationals of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras (Northern Triangle 
Countries)
    E. Business Need Standard--Irreparable Harm and FY 2021 
Attestation
    F. Portability
    G. COVID-19 Worker Protections
    H. DHS Petition Procedures
    I. DOL Procedures
IV. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
    A. Administrative Procedure Act
    B. Executive Orders 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and 
13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review)
    C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    E. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
    F. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)
    G. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)
    H. Congressional Review Act
    I. National Environmental Policy Act
    J. Paperwork Reduction Act

I. Executive Summary

FY 2021 H-2B Supplemental Cap

    With this temporary final rule (TFR), the Secretary of Homeland 
Security, following consultation with the Secretary of Labor, is 
authorizing the immediate release of an additional 22,000 H-2B visas 
through the end of FY 2021, subject to certain conditions. The 22,000 
visas are divided into two allocations, as follows:
     16,000 visas limited to returning workers, regardless of 
country of nationality, in other words, those workers who were issued 
H-2B visas or held H-2B status in fiscal years 2018, 2019, or 2020; and
     6,000 visas initially reserved for nationals of the 
Northern Triangle countries as attested by the petitioner (regardless 
of whether such nationals are returning workers). However, if all 6,000 
visas reserved for nationals of the Northern Triangle countries are not 
allocated by July 8, 2021, USCIS will announce by July 23, 2021, on its 
website, that such unused Northern Triangle country visas will be made 
available to employers regardless of the beneficiary's country of 
nationality, subject to the returning worker limitation.
    To qualify for the FY 2021 supplemental cap, eligible petitioners 
must:
     Meet all existing H-2B eligibility requirements, including 
obtaining an approved temporary labor certification

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(TLC) from DOL before filing the Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant 
Worker, with USCIS;
     Submit an attestation affirming, under penalty of perjury, 
that the employer will likely suffer irreparable harm if it cannot 
employ the requested H-2B workers, and that it is seeking to employ 
returning workers only, unless the H-2B worker is a Northern Triangle 
national and counted towards the 6,000 cap (during such time as when 
the Northern Triangle cap reservation allocation is applicable); and
     Agree to comply with all applicable labor and employment 
laws, including health and safety laws pertaining to COVID-19, as well 
as any rights to time off or paid time off to obtain COVID-19 
vaccinations, and notify the workers in a language understood by the 
worker, as necessary or reasonable, of equal access of nonimmigrants to 
COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination distribution sites.
    Employers filing an H-2B petition 45 or more days after the 
certified start date on the TLC, must attest to engaging in the 
following additional steps to recruit U.S. workers:
     No later than 1 business day after filing the petition, 
place a new job order with the relevant State Workforce Agency (SWA) 
for at least 15 calendar days;
     Contact the nearest American Job Center serving the 
geographic area where work will commence and request staff assistance 
in recruiting qualified U.S. workers;
     Contact the employer's former U.S. workers, including 
those the employer furloughed or laid off beginning on January 1, 2019, 
and until the date the H-2B petition is filed, disclose the terms of 
the job order and solicit their return to the job;
     Provide written notification of the job opportunity to the 
bargaining representative for the employer's employees in the 
occupation and area of employment, or post notice of the job 
opportunity at the anticipated worksite if there is no bargaining 
representative; and
     Hire any qualified U.S. worker who applies or is referred 
for the job opportunity until the later of either (1) the date on which 
the last H-2B worker departs for the place of employment, or (2) 30 
days after the last date of the SWA job order posting.
    Petitioners filing H-2B petitions under the FY 2021 supplemental 
cap must retain documentation of compliance with the attestation 
requirements for 3 years from the date the TLC was approved, and must 
provide the documents and records upon the request of DHS or DOL, as 
well as fully cooperate with any compliance reviews such as audits. 
Both DHS and DOL intend to conduct a significant number of post-
adjudication audits to ascertain compliance with the attestation 
requirements of this TFR.
    Falsifying information in attestation(s) can result not only in 
penalties relating to perjury, but can also result in, among other 
things, a finding of fraud or willful misrepresentation; denial or 
revocation of the H-2B petition requesting supplemental workers; 
debarment by DOL and DHS from the H-2 program; and may subject 
petitioner/employer to other criminal penalties.
    The authority to approve H-2B petitions under the FY 2021 
supplemental cap expires on September 30, 2021.

H-2B Portability

    In addition to exercising time limited authority to make additional 
H-2B visas available in FY 2021, DHS is providing additional 
flexibilities to H-2B petitioners under its general programmatic 
authority by allowing nonimmigrant workers in the United States in 
valid H-2B status to begin work with a new employer after an H-2B 
petition (supported by a valid TLC) is filed and before the petition is 
approved generally for a period of up to 60 days. However, such 
employment authorization would end 15 days after USCIS denies the H-2B 
petition or such petition is withdrawn. This H-2B portability ends 180 
days after the effective date of this rule, in other words, after the 
date this rule is published in the Federal Register.

II. Background

A. Legal Framework

    The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended, establishes 
the H-2B nonimmigrant classification for a nonagricultural temporary 
worker ``having a residence in a foreign country which he has no 
intention of abandoning who is coming temporarily to the United States 
to perform . . . temporary [non-agricultural] service or labor if 
unemployed persons capable of performing such service or labor cannot 
be found in this country.'' INA section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b), 8 U.S.C. 
1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b). Employers must petition the Department of 
Homeland Security (DHS) for classification of prospective temporary 
workers as H-2B nonimmigrants. INA section 214(c)(1), 8 U.S.C. 
1184(c)(1). Generally, DHS must approve this petition before the 
beneficiary can be considered eligible for an H-2B visa. In addition, 
the INA requires that ``[t]he question of importing any alien as [an H-
2B] nonimmigrant . . . in any specific case or specific cases shall be 
determined by [DHS],\1\ after consultation with appropriate agencies of 
the Government.'' INA section 214(c)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(1). The INA 
generally charges the Secretary of Homeland Security with the 
administration and enforcement of the immigration laws, and provides 
that the Secretary ``shall establish such regulations . . . and perform 
such other acts as he deems necessary for carrying out his authority'' 
under the INA. See INA section 103(a)(1), (3), 8 U.S.C. 1103(a)(1), 
(3); see also 6 U.S.C. 202(4) (charging the Secretary with 
``[e]stablishing and administering rules . . . governing the granting 
of visas or other forms of permission . . . to enter the United States 
to individuals who are not a citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for 
permanent residence in the United States''). With respect to 
nonimmigrants in particular, the INA provides that ``[t]he admission to 
the United States of any alien as a nonimmigrant shall be for such time 
and under such conditions as the [Secretary] may by regulations 
prescribe.'' INA section 214(a)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1184(a)(1); see also INA 
section 274A(h)(1) and (3), 8 U.S.C. 1324a(h)(1) and (3) (prohibiting 
employment of noncitizen \2\ not authorized for employment). The 
Secretary may designate officers or employees to take and consider 
evidence concerning any matter which is material or relevant to the 
enforcement of the INA. INA sections 287(a)(1), (b), 8 U.S.C. 
1357(a)(1), (b) and INA section 235(d)(3), 8 U.S.C. 1225(d)(3).
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    \1\ As of March 1, 2003, in accordance with section 1517 of 
Title XV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA), Public Law 107-
296, 116 Stat. 2135, any reference to the Attorney General in a 
provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act describing 
functions which were transferred from the Attorney General or other 
Department of Justice official to the Department of Homeland 
Security by the HSA ``shall be deemed to refer to the Secretary'' of 
Homeland Security. See 6 U.S.C. 557 (2003) (codifying HSA, Title XV, 
sec. 1517); 6 U.S.C. 542 note; 8 U.S.C. 1551 note.
    \2\ For purposes of this discussion, the Departments use the 
term ``noncitizen'' colloquially to be synonymous with the term 
``alien'' as it is used in the Immigration and Nationality Act.
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    Finally, under section 101 of HSA, 6 U.S.C. 111(b)(1)(F), a primary 
mission of DHS is to ``ensure that the overall economic security of the 
United States is not diminished by efforts, activities, and programs 
aimed at securing the homeland.''
    DHS regulations provide that an H-2B petition for temporary 
employment in the United States must be accompanied by an approved TLC 
from the U.S.

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Department of Labor (DOL), issued pursuant to regulations established 
at 20 CFR part 655, or from the Guam Department of Labor if the workers 
will be employed on Guam. 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iii)(A) and (C) through 
(E), (h)(6)(iv)(A); see also INA section 103(a)(6), 8 U.S.C. 
1103(a)(6). The TLC serves as DHS's consultation with DOL with respect 
to whether a qualified U.S. worker is available to fill the petitioning 
H-2B employer's job opportunity and whether a foreign worker's 
employment in the job opportunity will adversely affect the wages and 
working conditions of similarly-employed U.S. workers. See INA section 
214(c)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(1); 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iii)(A) and (D).
    In order to determine whether to issue a TLC, the Departments have 
established regulatory procedures under which DOL certifies whether a 
qualified U.S. worker is available to fill the job opportunity 
described in the employer's petition for a temporary nonagricultural 
worker, and whether a foreign worker's employment in the job 
opportunity will adversely affect the wages or working conditions of 
similarly employed U.S. workers. See 20 CFR part 655, subpart A. The 
regulations establish the process by which employers obtain a TLC and 
the rights and obligations of workers and employers.
    Once the petition is approved, under the INA and current DHS 
regulations, H-2B workers do not have employment authorization outside 
of the validity period listed on the approved petition unless otherwise 
authorized, and the workers are limited to employment with the H-2B 
petitioner. See 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(1), 8 CFR 274a.12(b)(9). An employer 
or U.S. agent generally may submit a new H-2B petition, with a new, 
approved TLC, to USCIS to request an extension of H-2B nonimmigrant 
status for the validity of the TLC or for a period of up to 1 year. 8 
CFR 214.2(h)(15)(ii)(C). Except as provided for in this rule, and 
except for certain professional athletes being traded among 
organizations,\3\ H-2B workers seeking to extend their status with a 
new employer may not begin employment with the new employer until the 
new H-2B petition is approved.
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    \3\ See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(vii) and 8 CFR 274a.12(b)(9).
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    The INA also authorizes DHS to impose appropriate remedies against 
an employer for a substantial failure to meet the terms and conditions 
of employing an H-2B nonimmigrant worker, or for a willful 
misrepresentation of a material fact in a petition for an H-2B 
nonimmigrant worker. INA section 214(c)(14)(A), 8 U.S.C. 
1184(c)(14)(A). The INA expressly authorizes DHS to delegate certain 
enforcement authority to DOL. INA section 214(c)(14)(B), 8 U.S.C. 
1184(c)(14)(B); see also INA section 103(a)(6), 8 U.S.C. 1103(a)(6). 
DHS has delegated its authority under INA section 214(c)(14)(A)(i), 8 
U.S.C. 1184(c)(14)(A)(i) to DOL. See DHS, Delegation of Authority to 
DOL under Section 214(c)(14)(A) of the INA (Jan. 16, 2009); see also 8 
CFR 214.2(h)(6)(ix) (stating that DOL may investigate employers to 
enforce compliance with the conditions of, among other things, an H-2B 
petition and a DOL-approved TLC). This enforcement authority has been 
delegated within DOL to the Wage and Hour Division (WHD), and is 
governed by regulations at 29 CFR part 503.

B. H-2B Numerical Limitations Under the INA

    The INA sets the annual number of noncitizens who may be issued H-
2B visas or otherwise provided H-2B nonimmigrant status to perform 
temporary nonagricultural work at 66,000, to be distributed semi-
annually beginning in October and April. See INA sections 214(g)(1)(B) 
and (g)(10), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1)(B) and (g)(10). With certain 
exceptions, described below, up to 33,000 noncitizens may be issued H-
2B visas or provided H-2B nonimmigrant status in the first half of a 
fiscal year, and the remaining annual allocation, including any unused 
nonimmigrant H-2B visas from the first half of a fiscal year, will be 
available for employers seeking to hire H-2B workers during the second 
half of the fiscal year.\4\ If insufficient petitions are approved to 
use all H-2B numbers in a given fiscal year, the unused numbers cannot 
be carried over for petition approvals for employment start dates 
beginning on or after the start of the next fiscal year.
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    \4\ The Federal Government's fiscal year runs from October 1 of 
the prior year through September 30 of the year being described. For 
example, fiscal year 2021 is from October 1, 2020, through September 
30, 2021.
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    In FYs 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2016, Congress exempted H-2B workers 
identified as returning workers from the annual H-2B cap of 66,000.\5\ 
A returning worker is defined by statute as an H-2B worker who was 
previously counted against the annual H-2B cap during a designated 
period of time. For example, Congress designated that returning workers 
for FY 2016 needed to have been counted against the cap during FY 2013, 
2014, or 2015.\6\ DHS and the Department of State (DOS) worked together 
to confirm that all workers requested under the returning worker 
provision in fact were eligible for exemption from the annual cap (in 
other words, were issued an H-2B visa or provided H-2B status during 
one of the prior 3 fiscal years) and were otherwise eligible for H-2B 
classification.
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    \5\ INA section 214(g)(9)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(9)(A), see also 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, Public Law 114-113, div. F, 
tit. V, sec 565; John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2007, Public Law 109-364, div. A, tit. X, sec. 1074, 
(2006); Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005, Public 
Law 109-13, div. B, tit. IV, sec. 402.
    \6\ See Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, Public Law 114-
113, div. F, tit. V, sec 565.
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    Because of the strong demand for H-2B visas in recent years, the 
statutorily-limited semi-annual visa allocation, the DOL regulatory 
requirement that employers apply for a TLC 75 to 90 days before the 
start date of work,\7\ and the DHS regulatory requirement that all H-2B 
petitions be accompanied by an approved TLC,\8\ employers that wish to 
obtain visas for their workers under the semi-annual allotment must act 
early to receive a TLC and file a petition with U.S. Citizenship and 
Immigration Services (USCIS). As a result, DOL typically sees a 
significant spike in TLC applications from employers seeking to hire H-
2B temporary or seasonal workers prior to the United States' warm 
weather months. For example, in FY 2021, based on TLC applications 
filed during the 3-day filing window of January 1 through 3, 2021, 
DOL's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) received requests to 
certify 96,641 worker positions for start dates of work on April 1, 
2021.\9\ USCIS, in turn, received sufficient H-2B petitions to reach 
the second half of the fiscal year

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statutory cap by February 12, 2021.\10\ This early date continues to 
reflect an ongoing trend of higher H-2B demand in the second half of 
the fiscal year compared to the statutorily authorized level. Congress, 
in recognition of this increased demand: (1) Allowed for additional H-
2B workers through the FY 2016 reauthorization of the returning worker 
cap exemption; \11\ and (2) for the last 5 fiscal years authorized 
supplemental caps under section 543 of Division F of the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2017, Public Law 115-31 (FY 2017 Omnibus); section 
205 of Division M of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Public 
Law 115-141 (FY 2018 Omnibus); section 105 of Division H of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, Public Law 116-6 (FY 2019 
Omnibus); section 105 of Division I of the Further Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2020, Public Law 116-94 (FY 2020 Omnibus); \12\ and 
section 105 of Division O of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, 
Public Law 116-260 (FY 2021 Omnibus), which is discussed below.
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    \7\ 20 CFR 655.15(b).
    \8\ See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(5)(i)(A).
    \9\ DOL announcement on January 7, 2021. See https://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/ (last accessed on April 9, 2021). 
For historical context, with the FY 2020 statutory cap, DOL 
announced on January 6, 2020 that it received requests to certify 
99,362 worker positions for start dates of work on April 1, 2020. On 
February 26, 2020, USCIS announced that it had received a sufficient 
number of petitions to reach the congressionally mandated H-2B cap 
for FY 2020. On February 18, 2020, the number of beneficiaries 
listed on petitions received by USCIS surpassed the total number of 
remaining H-2B visas available against the H-2B cap for the second 
half of FY 2020. In accordance with regulations, USCIS determined it 
was necessary to use a computer generated process, commonly known as 
a lottery, to ensure the fair and orderly allocation of H-2B visa 
numbers to meet, but not exceed, the remainder of the FY 2020 cap. 8 
CFR 214.2(h)(8)(vii). On February 20, 2020, USCIS conducted a 
lottery to randomly select petitions from those received on February 
18, 2020. As a result, USCIS assigned all petitions selected in the 
lottery the receipt date of February 20, 2020.
    \10\ On February 24, 2021, USCIS announced that it had received 
a sufficient number of petitions to reach the congressionally 
mandated H-2B cap for the second half of FY 2021. See https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/h-2b-cap-reached-for-second-half-of-fy-2021 (Feb. 24, 2021). On February 12, 2021, the number of 
beneficiaries listed on petitions received by USCIS surpassed the 
total number of remaining H-2B visas available against the H-2B 
statutory cap for the second half of FY 2021. In accordance with 
regulations, USCIS determined it was necessary to use a computer-
generated process, commonly known as a lottery, to ensure the fair 
and orderly allocation of H-2B visa numbers to meet, but not exceed, 
the remainder of the FY 2021 cap. 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(vii). On 
February 17, 2021, USCIS conducted a lottery to randomly select 
petitions from those received on February 12, 2021. As a result, 
USCIS assigned all petitions selected in the lottery the receipt 
date of February 17, 2021.
    \11\ INA section 214(g)(9)(a), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(9)(a), as 
revised by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (Pub. L. 114-
113). This program expired on September 30, 2016.
    \12\ DHS, after consulting with DOL, did not publish a temporary 
final rule supplementing the H-2B cap for FY 2020 pursuant to the 
Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, Public Law 116-94.
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C. FY 2021 Omnibus

    On December 27, 2020, then-President Donald Trump signed the FY 
2021 Omnibus which contains a provision, section 105 of Division O 
(section 105), permitting the Secretary of Homeland Security, under 
certain circumstances and after consultation with the Secretary of 
Labor, to increase the number of H-2B visas available to U.S. 
employers, notwithstanding the otherwise-established statutory 
numerical limitation set forth in the INA. Specifically, section 105 
provides that ``the Secretary of Homeland Security, after consultation 
with the Secretary of Labor, and upon the determination that the needs 
of American businesses cannot be satisfied in [FY] 2021 with U.S. 
workers who are willing, qualified, and able to perform temporary 
nonagricultural labor,'' may increase the total number of noncitizens 
who may receive an H-2B visa in FY 2021 by not more than the highest 
number of H-2B nonimmigrants who participated in the H-2B returning 
worker program in any fiscal year in which returning workers were 
exempt from the H-2B numerical limitation.\13\ The Secretary of 
Homeland Security has consulted with the Secretary of Labor, and this 
rule implements the authority contained in section 105.
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    \13\ The highest number of returning workers in any such fiscal 
year was 64,716, which represents the number of beneficiaries 
covered by H-2B returning worker petitions that were approved for FY 
2007. DHS also considered using an alternative approach, under which 
DHS measured the number of H-2B returning workers admitted at the 
ports of entry (66,792 for FY 2007).
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    As noted above, since FY 2017, Congress has enacted a series of 
public laws providing the Secretary of Homeland Security with the 
discretionary authority to increase the H-2B cap beyond that set forth 
in section 214 of the INA. The previous four statutory provisions were 
materially identical to section 105 of the FY 2021 Omnibus. During each 
fiscal year from FY 2017 through FY 2019, the Secretary of Homeland 
Security, after consulting with the Secretary of Labor, determined that 
the needs of some American businesses could not be satisfied in such 
year with U.S. workers who were willing, qualified, and able to perform 
temporary nonagricultural labor. On the basis of these determinations, 
on July 19, 2017, and May 31, 2018, DHS and DOL jointly published 
temporary final rules for FY 2017 and FY 2018, respectively, each of 
which allowed an increase of up to 15,000 additional H-2B visas for 
those businesses that attested that if they did not receive all of the 
workers requested on the Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I-
129), they were likely to suffer irreparable harm, in other words, 
suffer a permanent and severe financial loss.\14\ A total of 12,294 H-
2B workers were approved for H-2B classification under petitions filed 
pursuant to the FY 2017 supplemental cap increase.\15\ In FY 2018, 
USCIS received petitions for more than 15,000 beneficiaries during the 
first 5 business days of filing for the supplemental cap, and held a 
lottery on June 7, 2018. The total number of H-2B workers approved 
toward the FY 2018 supplemental cap increase was 15,788.\16\ The vast 
majority of the H-2B petitions received under the FY 2017 and FY 2018 
supplemental caps requested premium processing \17\ and were 
adjudicated within 15 calendar days.
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    \14\ Temporary Rule, Exercise of Time-Limited Authority To 
Increase the Fiscal Year 2017 Numerical Limitation for the H-2B 
Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Program, 82 FR 32987, 32998 (July 
19, 2017); Temporary Rule, Exercise of Time-Limited Authority To 
Increase the Fiscal Year 2018 Numerical Limitation for the H-2B 
Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Program, 83 FR 24905, 24917 (May 
31, 2018).
    \15\ USCIS data pulled from the Computer Linked Application 
Information Management System (CLAIMS3) database, available at 
https://www.dhs.gov/publication/dhsuscispia-016-computer-linked-application-information-management-system-claims-3-and, on Mar. 15, 
2021.
    \16\ The number of approved workers exceeded the number of 
additional visas authorized for FY 2018 to allow for the possibility 
that some approved workers would either not seek a visa or 
admission, would not be issued a visa, or would not be admitted to 
the United States. USCIS data pulled from CLAIMS3 on Mar. 15, 2021.
    \17\ Premium processing allows for expedited processing for an 
additional fee. See INA 286(u), 8 U.S.C. 1356(u).
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    On May 8, 2019, DHS and DOL jointly published a temporary final 
rule authorizing an increase of up to 30,000 additional H-2B visas for 
the remainder of FY 2019. The additional visas were limited to 
returning workers who had been counted against the H-2B cap or were 
otherwise granted H-2B status in the previous 3 fiscal years, and for 
those businesses that attested to a level of need such that, if they 
did not receive all of the workers requested on the Form I-129, they 
were likely to suffer irreparable harm, in other words, suffer a 
permanent and severe financial loss.\18\ The Secretary determined that 
limiting returning workers to those who were issued an H-2B visa or 
granted H-2B status in the past 3 fiscal years was appropriate, as it 
mirrored the standard that Congress designated in previous returning 
worker provisions. On June 5, 2019, approximately 30 days after the 
supplemental visas became available, USCIS announced that it received 
sufficient petitions filed pursuant to the FY 2019 supplemental cap 
increase. USCIS did not conduct a lottery for the FY 2019 supplemental 
cap increase. The total number of H-2B workers approved towards the FY 
2019 supplemental cap increase was 32,666.\19\ The vast majority

[[Page 28202]]

of these petitions requested premium processing and were adjudicated 
within 15 calendar days.
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    \18\ Temporary Rule, Exercise of Time-Limited Authority To 
Increase the Fiscal Year 2019 Numerical Limitation for the H-2B 
Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Program, 84 FR 20005, 20021 (May 8, 
2019).
    \19\ The number of approved workers exceeded the number of 
additional visas authorized for FY 2019 to allow for the possibility 
that some approved workers would either not seek a visa or 
admission, would not be issued a visa, or would not be admitted to 
the United States. USCIS data pulled from CLAIMS3 on Mar. 15, 2021.
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    Although Congress provided the Secretary of Homeland Security with 
the discretionary authority to increase the H-2B cap in FY 2020, the 
Secretary did not exercise that authority. DHS initially intended to 
exercise its authority and, on March 4, 2020, announced that it would 
make available 35,000 supplemental H-2B visas for the second half of 
fiscal year.\20\ On March 13, 2020, then-President Trump declared a 
National Emergency concerning COVID-19, a communicable disease caused 
by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.\21\ On April 2, 2020, DHS announced that 
the rule to increase the H-2B cap was on hold due to economic 
circumstances, and no additional H-2B visas would be released until 
further notice.\22\ DHS also noted that the Department of State had 
suspended routine visa services.\23\ As explained in further detail 
below, although the COVID-19 public health emergency is still in 
effect, DHS believes that it is appropriate to increase the H-2B cap 
coupled with additional protections (for example, post-adjudication 
audits, investigations, and compliance checks), for FY 2021 based on 
the demand for H-2B workers in the second half of FY 2021, recent and 
continuing economic growth, the improving job market and increased visa 
processing by the Department of State.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ DHS to Improve Integrity of Visa Program for Foreign 
Workers, March 5, 2020, https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/03/05/dhs-improve-integrity-visa-program-foreign-workers.
    \21\ Proclamation 9994 of Mar. 13, 2020, Declaring a National 
Emergency Concerning the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak, 85 
FR 15337 (Mar. 18, 2020).
    \22\ https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1245745115458568192?s=20.
    \23\ Id.
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D. Joint Issuance of This Final Rule

    As they did in FY 2017, FY 2018, and FY 2019, the Departments have 
determined that it is appropriate to jointly issue this temporary 
rule.\24\ The determination to issue the temporary rule jointly follows 
conflicting court decisions concerning DOL's authority to independently 
issue legislative rules to carry out its consultative and delegated 
functions pertaining to the H-2B program under the INA.\25\ Although 
DHS and DOL each have authority to independently issue rules 
implementing their respective duties under the H-2B program,\26\ the 
Departments are implementing section 105 in this manner to ensure there 
can be no question about the authority underlying the administration 
and enforcement of the temporary cap increase. This approach is 
consistent with rules implementing DOL's general consultative role 
under INA section 214(c)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(1), and delegated 
functions under INA sections 103(a)(6) and 214(c)(14)(B), 8 U.S.C. 
1103(a)(6), 1184(c)(14)(B).\27\
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    \24\ 82 FR 32987 (Jul. 19, 2017); 83 FR 24905 (May 31, 2018); 84 
FR 20005 (May 8, 2019).
    \25\ See Outdoor Amusement Bus. Ass'n v. Dep't of Homeland Sec., 
983 F.3d 671 (4th Cir. 2020); see also Temporary Non-Agricultural 
Employment of H-2B Aliens in the United States, 80 FR 24042, 24045 
(Apr. 29, 2015).
    \26\ See Outdoor Amusement Bus. Ass'n, 983 F.3d at 684-89.
    \27\ See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iii)(A) and (C), (h)(6)(iv)(A).
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III. Discussion

A. Statutory Determination

    Following consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary 
of Homeland Security has determined that the needs of some U.S. 
employers cannot be satisfied in FY 2021 with U.S. workers who are 
willing, qualified, and able to perform temporary nonagricultural 
labor. In accordance with section 105 of the FY 2021 Omnibus, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security has determined that it is appropriate, 
for the reasons stated below, to raise the numerical limitation on H-2B 
nonimmigrant visas up to 22,000 additional visas for those American 
businesses that attest to a level of need such that, if they do not 
receive the workers under the cap increase, they are likely to suffer 
irreparable harm, in other words, suffer a permanent and severe 
financial loss. These businesses must retain documentation, as 
described below, supporting this attestation.
    DHS and DOL intend to conduct a significant number of random audits 
during the period of temporary need to verify compliance with H-2B 
program requirements, including the irreparable harm standard as well 
as other key worker protection provisions implemented through this 
rule. If an employer's documentation does not establish the likelihood 
of irreparable harm, or if the employer fails to provide evidence 
demonstrating irreparable harm or comply with the audit process, this 
may be considered a substantial violation resulting in an adverse 
agency action on the employer, including revocation of the petition 
and/or TLC or program debarment.
    The Secretary of Homeland Security has also determined that for 
certain employers, additional recruitment steps are necessary to 
confirm that there are no qualified U.S. workers available for the 
positions. In addition, the Secretary of Homeland Security has 
determined that the supplemental visas will be limited to returning 
workers, with the exception that up to 6,000 of the 22,000 visas will 
be exempt from the returning worker requirement and will be reserved 
for H-2B workers who are nationals of Guatemala, Honduras, or El 
Salvador (the Northern Triangle countries).\28\ The 6,000 H-2B visas 
are reserved for nationals of the Northern Triangle countries to 
further the objectives of E.O. 14010, which among other initiatives, 
instructs the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State 
to implement measures to enhance access to visa programs for 
individuals from the Northern Triangle.\29\ This decision supports the 
President's vision of expanding lawful pathways for protection and 
opportunity for individuals from the Northern Triangle.\30\
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    \28\ These conditions and limitations are not inconsistent with 
sections 214(g)(3) (``first in, first out'' H-2B processing) and 
(g)(10) (fiscal year H-2B allocations) because noncitizens covered 
by the special allocation under section 105 of the FY 2021 Omnibus 
are not ``subject to the numerical limitations of [section 
214(g)(1).]'' See, e.g., INA section 214(g)(3); INA section 
214(g)(10); FY 2021 Omnibus div. O, sec. 105 (``Notwithstanding the 
numerical limitation set forth in section 214(g)(1)(B) of the [INA]. 
. . .'').
    \29\ See Section 3(c) of E.O. 14010, Creating a Comprehensive 
Regional Framework To Address the Causes of Migration, To Manage 
Migration Throughout North and Central America, and To Provide Safe 
and Orderly Processing of Asylum Seekers at the United States 
Border, signed February 2, 2021. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-02-05/pdf/2021-02561.pdf.
    \30\ Id.
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    Similar to the temporary final rule for the FY 2019 supplemental 
cap, the Secretary of Homeland Security has also determined to limit 
the supplemental visas to H-2B returning workers, in other words, 
workers who were issued H-2B visas or were otherwise granted H-2B 
status in FY 2018, 2019, or 2020,\31\ unless the employer indicates on 
the new attestation form that it is requesting workers who are 
nationals of the Northern Triangle countries and who are therefore 
counted towards the 6,000 allotment regardless of whether they are new 
or returning workers. If the 6,000 returning worker exemption cap for 
Northern Triangle nationals has been

[[Page 28203]]

reached and visas remain available under the returning worker cap, the 
petition would be rejected and any fees submitted returned to the 
petitioner. In such a case, a petitioner may continue to request 
workers who are nationals of one of the Northern Triangle countries, 
but the petitioner must file a new Form I-129 petition, with fee, and 
attest that these noncitizens will be returning workers, in other 
words, workers who were issued H-2B visas or were otherwise granted H-
2B status in FY 2018, 2019, or 2020. If the 6,000 returning worker 
exemption cap for nationals of the Northern Triangle countries remains 
unfilled by July 8, 2021, USCIS will announce on its website that the 
remaining visas will be made available to the general public, but the 
petitioner must file a new Form I-129 petition and attest that these 
noncitizens will be returning workers.
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    \31\ For purposes of this rule, these returning workers could 
have been H-2B cap exempt or extended H-2B status in FY 2018, 2019, 
or 2020. Additionally they may have been previously counted against 
the annual H-2B cap of 66,000 visas during FY 2018, 2019, or 2020, 
or the supplemental caps in FY 2018 or FY 2019.
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    The Secretary of Homeland Security's determination to increase the 
numerical limitation is based, in part, on the conclusion that some 
businesses are likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of a 
cap increase. Congress has expressed concern with the unavailability of 
H-2B visas for employers that need workers to start late in the fiscal 
year.\32\ In addition, members of Congress have sent numerous letters 
to the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Labor about the needs of 
some U.S. businesses for H-2B workers (after the statutory cap for the 
second half of the fiscal year has been reached) and about the 
potentially negative impact on state and local economies if the cap is 
not increased.\33\ U.S. businesses, chambers of commerce, employer 
organizations, and state and local elected officials have also written 
to the DHS and Labor Secretaries to express their concerns with the 
unavailability of H-2B visas after the statutory cap has been 
reached.\34\ DHS held a stakeholder listening session on April 8, 2021, 
during and after which numerous small and seasonal business owners 
described the challenges they face absent the ability to secure H-2B 
workers because the statutory cap has been reached.\35\
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    \32\ In the Joint Explanatory Statement for the FY 2018 DHS 
Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 115-141), for example, 
Congress directed DHS, in consultation with DOL, to report on 
options to improve the accessibility of H-2B visas for employers 
that need workers to start late in the season. DHS submitted the 
report to Congress on June 7, 2019. Congress made a similar request 
in the Joint Explanatory Statement for the FY 2020 DHS Further 
Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 116-94).
    \33\ See the docket for this rulemaking for access to these 
letters.
    \34\ Id.
    \35\ USCIS expects to post a recording of the stakeholder 
listening engagement on its Electronic Reading Room, at https://www.uscis.gov/records/electronic-reading-room.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Labor heard 
from many trade unions and worker advocates who opposed raising the 
cap. They argued that the unemployment rate remains high. In 
particular, they provided evidence that the unemployment rate for 
summer-related occupations, such as landscaping workers, restaurant 
workers, construction workers and others, for which businesses were 
pressing for an increase in visas, exceeds the national average in 
unemployment.\36\ They also pointed to what they consider weaknesses in 
the labor market test, and stated that some H-2B employers have 
violated labor laws, including requirements in the H-2B program.
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    \36\ See: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Labor 
Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey, Table A-30, 
available at https://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cpseea30.htm. According 
to the March 2021 Current Population Survey, the unemployment rate 
for construction and landscaping workers was 9.5 percent and 9.9 
percent, respectively, whereas the national unemployment rate was 
6.2 percent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    After considering the full range of evidence and diverse points of 
view, the Secretary of Homeland Security has deemed it appropriate to 
take action to avoid irreparable harm to businesses that were unable to 
obtain H-2B workers under the statutory cap, including potential wage 
and job losses by their U.S. workers, as well as other adverse 
downstream economic effects.\37\ At the same time, the Secretary of 
Homeland Security believes it is appropriate to condition receipt of 
supplemental visas on adherence to additional worker protections, 
particularly because of current national unemployment rates, as 
discussed below.
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    \37\ See, e.g., Impacts of the H-2B Visa Program for Seasonal 
Workers on Maryland's Seafood Industry and Economy, Maryland 
Department of Agriculture Seafood Marketing Program and Chesapeake 
Bay Seafood Industry Association (March 2, 2020), available at 
https://mda.maryland.gov/documents/2020-H2B-Impact-Study.pdf (last 
visited May 7, 2021).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The decision to afford the benefits of this temporary cap increase 
to U.S. businesses that need workers to avoid irreparable harm and that 
will comply with additional worker protections, rather than applying 
the cap increase to any and all businesses seeking temporary workers, 
is consistent with section 105 of the FY 2021 Omnibus, as explained 
below. The Secretary of Homeland Security, in implementing section 105 
and determining the scope of any such increase, has broad discretion, 
following consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to identify the 
business needs that are most relevant, while bearing in mind the need 
to protect U.S. workers. Within that context, for the below reasons, 
the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined to allow an overall 
increase of 22,000 additional visas solely for the businesses facing 
permanent, severe potential losses.
    First, DHS interprets section 105's reference to ``the needs of 
American businesses'' as describing a need different from the need 
ordinarily required of employers in petitioning for an H-2B worker. 
Under the generally applicable H-2B program, each individual H-2B 
employer must demonstrate that it has a temporary need for the services 
or labor for which it seeks to hire H-2B workers. See 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(6)(ii), 20 CFR 655.6. The use of the phrase ``needs of 
American businesses,'' which is not found in INA section 
101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b), or the 
regulations governing the standard H-2B cap, authorizes the Secretary 
of Homeland Security in allocating additional H-2B visas under section 
105 to require that employers establish a need above and beyond the 
normal standard under the H-2B program, that is, an inability to find 
sufficient qualified U.S. workers willing and available to perform 
services or labor and that the employment of the H-2B worker will not 
adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers, see 
8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(i)(A). DOL concurs with this interpretation.
    Second, the approach set forth in this rule limits the increase in 
a way that is similar to the implementation of the supplemental caps in 
fiscal years 2017, 2018, and 2019, and provides protections against 
adverse effects on U.S. workers that may result from a cap increase. 
Although there is not enough time to conduct a more full and formal 
quantitative analysis of such adverse effects, the Secretary has 
determined that in the particular circumstances presented here, it is 
appropriate, within the limits discussed below, to tailor the 
availability of this temporary cap increase to those businesses likely 
to suffer irreparable harm, in other words, those facing permanent and 
severe financial loss.
    As noted above, to address the increased, and, in some cases, 
imminent need for H-2B workers, for FY 2021, the Secretary of Homeland 
Security has determined that employers may petition for supplemental 
visas on behalf of up to 16,000 workers who were issued an

[[Page 28204]]

H-2B visa or were otherwise granted H-2B status in FY 2018, 2019, or 
2020.\38\ The last 3 fiscal years' temporal limitation in the returning 
worker definition in this temporary rule mirrors the temporal 
limitation Congress imposed in previous returning worker statutes.\39\ 
Such workers (in other words, those who recently participated in the H-
2B program) have previously obtained H-2B visas and therefore have been 
vetted by DOS, would have departed the United States after their 
authorized period of stay as generally required by the terms of their 
nonimmigrant admission, and therefore may obtain their new visas 
through DOS and begin work more expeditiously.\40\ DOS has informed DHS 
that, in general, H-2B visa applicants who are able to demonstrate 
clearly that they have previously abided by the terms of their status 
granted by DHS have a higher success rate when applying to renew their 
H-2B visas, as compared with the overall visa applicant pool from a 
given country. For that reason, some consular sections waive the in-
person interview requirement for H-2B applicants whose visa expired 
within a specific timeframe and who otherwise meet the strict 
limitations set out under INA section 222(h), 8 U.S.C. 1202(h). We note 
that DOS has, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, expanded interview 
waivers to some first-time H-2 applicants \41\ potentially allowing 
some such applicants to be processed with increased efficiency. 
However, there is no indication that this temporary, short-term measure 
will necessarily affect the overall success rates of applicants, which 
DOS has indicated is higher for returning workers who can demonstrate 
prior compliance with the program.
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    \38\ DHS believes that this temporal limitation is appropriate 
even though H-2B visa issuances and admissions were lower in FY 2020 
than in previous years, likely due to the impacts of COVID-19 as DHS 
believes that there will still be a sufficient number of returning 
workers available to U.S. employers to use the 16,000 additional 
visas authorized by this rule.
    \39\ Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, Public Law 114-113, 
div. F, tit. V, sec 565; John Warner National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2007, Public Law 109-364, div. A, tit. X, sec. 
1074, (2006); Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005, 
Public Law. 109-13, div. B, tit. IV, sec. 402.
    \40\ Non-returning workers cannot meet the statutory criteria 
under INA section 222(h)(1)(B) for an interview waiver. The previous 
review of an applicant's qualifications and current evidence of 
lawful travel to the United States will generally lead to a shorter 
processing time of a renewal application.
    \41\ DOS, Important Announcement on H2 Visas, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/important-announcement-on-h2-visas.html (last updated Mar. 26, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Limiting the supplemental cap to returning workers is beneficial 
because these workers have generally followed immigration law in good 
faith and demonstrated their willingness to return home after they have 
completed their temporary labor or services or their period of 
authorized stay, which is a condition of H-2B status. The returning 
worker condition therefore provides a basis to believe that H-2B 
workers under this cap increase will again abide by the terms and 
conditions of their visa. The returning worker condition also benefits 
employers that seek to re-hire known and trusted workers who have a 
proven positive employment track record while previously employed as 
workers in this country. While the Departments recognize that the 
returning worker requirement may limit to an extent the flexibility of 
employers that might wish to hire non-returning workers, the 
requirement provides an important safeguard against H-2B abuse, which 
DHS considers to be a significant consideration.
    In allocating up to 6,000 H-2B visas to nationals of the Northern 
Triangle countries while making the remaining up to 16,000 H-2B 
initially available visas available to qualified returning workers, 
irrespective of their country of nationality, this rule strikes a 
balance between furthering the U.S. foreign policy interests of 
creating a comprehensive framework--of which this allocation is one 
piece--to address and manage migration from the Northern Triangle and 
addressing the needs of certain H-2B employers at risk of suffering 
from irreparable harm. The United States has strong foreign policy 
interests in initially allocating up to 6,000 supplemental visas only 
to nationals of the Northern Triangle countries and exempting such 
persons from the returning worker requirement. The Secretary of 
Homeland Security has determined that both the 6,000 limitation and the 
exemption from the returning worker requirement for nationals of the 
Northern Triangle countries is beneficial in light of President Biden's 
February 2, 2021 E.O. 14010, which instructed the Secretary of Homeland 
Security and the Secretary of State to implement measures to enhance 
access for individuals of the Northern Triangle countries to visa 
programs, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law. In 
response to this executive order, DHS seeks to promote and improve 
safety, security, and economic stability throughout the region, and 
work with these countries to stem the flow of irregular migration in 
the region and enhance access to visa programs.
    The exemption from the returning worker requirement recognizes the 
relatively small numbers of individuals from the three Northern 
Triangle countries who were previously granted H-2B visas in recent 
years.\42\ Absent this exemption, there may be insufficient workers 
from these countries, which means that the rule might thereby fail to 
achieve its intended policy objective, in other words, to provide 
additional temporary foreign workers for U.S. employers that may suffer 
irreparable harm absent these workers, while also enhancing access to 
the H-2B visa classification for individuals from the Northern Triangle 
countries.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ DOS issued a combined total of approximately 26,600 H-2B 
visas to nationals of the Northern Triangle countries from FY 2015 
through FY 2020, combined, approximately 4,400 per year. DOS Monthly 
NIV Issuances by Nationality and Visa Class; https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-statistics/nonimmigrant-visa-statistics.html (last visited April 11, 2021).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, this rule provides that employers seeking H-2B visas for 
nationals of the Northern Triangle countries exempt from the returning 
worker requirement must file their petitions with USCIS no later than 
July 8, 2021. If fewer petitions are received than needed to reach the 
6,000 allocation by July 8, 2021, the remaining visas will be made 
available to returning workers, irrespective of their country of 
origin. USCIS will announce the availability and filing period for such 
remaining visas on its website, uscis.gov, no later than July 23, 2021. 
DHS believes that making any remaining visas available to returning 
workers after July 8, 2021 will provide sufficient opportunity for 
their use by nationals of Northern Triangle countries and also help 
ensure that supplemental H-2B visas do not go unused if there is 
insufficient demand from employers seeking or able to employ nationals 
of Northern Triangle countries.
    For all petitions filed under this rule and the H-2B program, 
generally, employers must establish, among other requirements, that 
insufficient qualified U.S. workers are available to fill the 
petitioning H-2B employer's job opportunity and that the foreign 
worker's employment in the job opportunity will not adversely affect 
the wages or working conditions of similarly-employed U.S. workers. INA 
section 214(c)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(1); 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iii)(A) and 
(D); 20 CFR 655.1. To meet this standard of protection for U.S. workers 
and, in order to be eligible for additional visas under this rule, 
employers must have applied for and received a valid TLC in accordance 
with 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iv)(A) and (D) and 20 CFR

[[Page 28205]]

part 655, subpart A. Under DOL's H-2B regulations, TLCs are valid only 
for the period of employment certified by DOL and expire on the last 
day of authorized employment. 20 CFR 655.55(a).
    In order to have a valid TLC, therefore, the employment start date 
on the employer's H-2B petition must not be different from the 
employment start date certified by DOL on the TLC. See 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(6)(iv)(D). Under generally applicable DHS regulations, the 
only exception to this requirement applies when an employer files an 
amended visa petition, accompanied by a copy of the previously approved 
TLC and a copy of the initial visa petition approval notice, at a later 
date to substitute workers as set forth under 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(6)(viii)(B). This rule also requires additional recruitment 
for certain petitioners, as discussed below.
    In sum, this rule increases the FY 2021 numerical limitation by up 
to 22,000 visas, but also restricts the availability of those 
additional visas by prioritizing only the most significant business 
needs, and limiting eligibility to H-2B returning workers, unless the 
worker is a national of one of the Northern Triangle countries counted 
towards the 6,000 allocation that are exempt from the returning worker 
limitation. These provisions are each described in turn below.

B. Numerical Increase and Allocation of up to 22,000 Visas

    The increase of up to 22,000 visas will help address the urgent 
needs of eligible employers for additional H-2B workers for the 
remainder of FY 2021.\43\ The determination to allow up to 22,000 
additional H-2B visas reflects a balancing of a number of factors 
including the demand for H-2B visas for the second half of FY 2021; 
current economic conditions; the increased demand for supplemental 
visas from FY 2017 to FY 2019; H-2B returning worker data; the amount 
of time remaining for employers to hire and obtain H-2B workers in the 
fiscal year; congressional concerns such as the one demonstrated by the 
FY 2018 and FY 2020 Joint Explanatory Statements where Congress 
directed DHS, in consultation with DOL, to consider options that would 
help address the unavailability of H-2B visas for late-season 
employers; and the objectives of E.O. 14010. DHS believes the numerical 
increase both addresses the needs of U.S. businesses and, as explained 
in more detail below, furthers the foreign policy interests of the 
United States. Additional provisions address the need to protect 
workers, such as informing them of access to COVID-19 vaccines and 
requiring additional recruitment efforts.
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    \43\ In contrast with section 214(g)(1) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 
1184(g)(1), which establishes a cap on the number of individuals who 
may be issued visas or otherwise provided H-2B status, and section 
214(g)(10) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(10) (emphasis added), which 
imposes a first half of the fiscal year cap on H-2B issuance with 
respect to the number of individuals who may be issued visas or are 
accorded [H-2B] status'' (emphasis added), section 105 only 
authorizes DHS to increase the number of available H-2B visas. 
Accordingly, DHS will not permit individuals authorized for H-2B 
status pursuant to an H-2B petition approved under section 105 to 
change to H-2B status from another nonimmigrant status. See INA 
section 248, 8 U.S.C. 1258; see also 8 CFR part 248. If a petitioner 
files a petition seeking H-2B workers in accordance with this rule 
and requests a change of status on behalf of someone in the United 
States, the change of status request will be denied, but the 
petition will be adjudicated in accordance with applicable DHS 
regulations. Any noncitizen authorized for H-2B status under the 
approved petition would need to obtain the necessary H-2B visa at a 
consular post abroad and then seek admission to the United States in 
H-2B status at a port of entry.
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    Section 105 of the FY 2021 Omnibus sets the highest number of H-2B 
returning workers who were exempt from the cap in certain previous 
years as the maximum limit for any increase in the H-2B numerical 
limitation for FY 2021.\44\ Consistent with the statute's reference to 
H-2B returning workers, in determining the appropriate number by which 
to increase the H-2B numerical limitation, the Secretary of Homeland 
Security focused on the number of visas allocated to such workers in 
years in which Congress enacted returning worker exemptions from the H-
2B numerical limitation. During each of the years the returning worker 
provision was in force, U.S. employers' standard business needs for H-
2B workers exceeded the statutory 66,000 cap. The highest number of H-
2B returning workers approved was 64,716 in FY 2007. In setting the 
number of additional H-2B visas to be made available during FY 2021, 
DHS considered this number, overall indications of increased need, the 
availability of U.S. workers during this period of high unemployment, 
as discussed below, Congress's prior direction that DHS review options 
for addressing the problem of unavailability of H-2B visas for 
businesses that need workers to start work late in a semiannual period 
of availability, and the time remaining in FY 2021. On the basis of 
these considerations, DHS determined that it would be appropriate to 
make additional visas available and to limit the supplemental cap to up 
to 22,000. The Secretary further considered the objectives of E.O. 
14010, which among other initiatives, instructs the Secretary of 
Homeland Security and the Secretary of State to implement measures to 
enhance access to visa programs for individuals from the Northern 
Triangle, and determined that reserving up to 6,000 of the up to 22,000 
additional visas and exempting this number from the returning worker 
requirement would be appropriate.
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    \44\ During fiscal years 2005 to 2007, and 2016, Congress 
enacted ``returning worker'' exemptions to the H-2B visa cap, 
allowing workers who were counted against the H-2B cap in one of the 
three preceding fiscal years not to be counted against the upcoming 
fiscal year cap. Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005, 
Public Law 109-13, Sec. 402 (May 11, 2005); John Warner National 
Defense Authorization Act, Public Law 109-364, Sec. 1074 (Oct. 17, 
2006); Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, Public Law 114-113, 
Sec. 565 (Dec. 18, 2015).
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    In past years, the number of beneficiaries covered by H-2B 
petitions filed exceeded the number of additional visas allocated under 
the two most recent supplemental caps. In FY 2018, USCIS received 
petitions for approximately 29,000 beneficiaries during the first 5 
business days of filing for the 15,000 supplemental cap. USCIS 
therefore conducted a lottery on June 7, 2018, to randomly select 
petitions that would be accepted under the supplemental cap. Of the 
petitions that were selected, USCIS issued approvals for 15,672 
beneficiaries.\45\ In FY 2019, USCIS received sufficient petitions for 
the 30,000 supplemental cap on June 5, 2019, but did not conduct a 
lottery to randomly select petitions that would be accepted under the 
supplemental cap. Of the petitions received, USCIS issued approvals for 
32,717 beneficiaries.\46\
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    \45\ USCIS recognizes it may have received petitions for more 
than 29,000 supplemental H-2B workers if the cap had not been 
exceeded within the first 5 days of opening. However, DHS estimates 
that not all of the 29,000 workers requested under the FY 2018 
supplemental cap would have been approved and/or issued visas. For 
instance, although DHS approved petitions for 15,672 beneficiaries 
under the FY 2018 cap increase, the Department of State data shows 
that as of January 15, 2019, it issued only 12,243 visas under that 
cap increase. Similarly, DHS approved petitions for 12,294 
beneficiaries under the FY 2017 cap increase, but the Department of 
State data shows that it issued only 9,160 visas.
    \46\ The number of approved workers exceeded the number of 
additional visas authorized for FY 2018 and FY 2019 to allow for the 
possibility that some approved workers would either not seek a visa 
or admission, would not be issued a visa, or would not be admitted 
to the United States.
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    Available data clearly indicate a need for supplemental H-2B visas 
in FY 2021. As noted above, in FY 2021, based on TLC applications filed 
during the 3-day filing window of January 1 through 3, 2021, DOL's 
Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) received requests to 
certify 96,641 worker positions, from 5,377 H-2B applications, for 
start dates

[[Page 28206]]

of work on April 1, 2021.\47\ USCIS, in turn, received sufficient H-2B 
petitions to reach the second half of the fiscal year statutory cap by 
February 12, 2021.\48\ This is similar to the level of demand in FY 
2020, when OFLC received requests to certify 99,362 worker positions 
for start dates of work on April 1, 2020,\49\ and USCIS received 
sufficient H-2B petitions to reach the second half of the fiscal year 
statutory cap by February 18, 2020.\50\ On March 4, 2020, DHS announced 
that it would make available 35,000 supplemental H-2B visas for the 
second half of fiscal year.\51\ However, on March 13, 2020, then-
President Trump declared a National Emergency concerning the COVID-19 
outbreak to control the spread of the virus in the United States.\52\ 
On April 2, 2020, DHS announced that the rule to increase the H-2B cap 
was on hold due to economic circumstances, and no additional H-2B visas 
would be released until further notice.\53\ DHS also noted that DOS had 
suspended routine visa services.\54\
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    \47\ DOL announcement on January 7, 2021. See https://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/ (last accessed on February 24, 
2021).
    \48\ On February 24, 2021, USCIS announced that it had received 
a sufficient number of petitions to reach the congressionally 
mandated H-2B cap for the second half of FY 2021. See https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/h-2b-cap-reached-for-second-half-of-fy-2021 (Feb. 24, 2021). On February 12, 2021, the number of 
beneficiaries listed on petitions received by USCIS surpassed the 
total number of remaining H-2B visas available against the H-2B 
statutory cap for the second half of FY 2021. In accordance with 
regulations, USCIS determined it was necessary to use a computer-
generated process, commonly known as a lottery, to ensure the fair 
and orderly allocation of H-2B visa numbers to meet, but not exceed, 
the remainder of the FY 2021 cap. 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(vii). On 
February 17, 2021, USCIS conducted a lottery to randomly select 
petitions from those received on February 12, 2021. As a result, 
USCIS assigned all petitions selected in the lottery the receipt 
date of February 17, 2021.
    \49\ DOL announcement on January 6, 2020. OFLC Conducts 
Randomization Process on H-2B Applications Requesting an April 1, 
2020, Work Start Date, https://flag.dol.gov/announcements/01-06-2020.
    \50\ H-2B Cap Reached for Second Half of FY2020, Feb. 26, 2020, 
https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/h-2b-cap-reached-for-second-half-of-fy2020.
    \51\ DHS to Improve Integrity of Visa Program for Foreign 
Workers, March 5, 2020, https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/03/05/dhs-improve-integrity-visa-program-foreign-workers.
    \52\ Proclamation 9994 of Mar. 13, 2020, Declaring a National 
Emergency Concerning the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak, 85 
FR 15337 (Mar. 18, 2020).
    \53\ https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1245745115458568192?s=20.
    \54\ Id.
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    Although the public health emergency due to COVID-19 still 
exists,\55\ DHS believes that it is appropriate to issue additional H-
2B visas for the remainder of FY 2021. While the economic impacts of 
COVID-19 continue to be felt, real gross domestic product (GDP) grew 
significantly in the third and fourth quarters of 2020.\56\ Economists 
project that this economic growth will continue throughout FY 2021 and 
beyond.\57\ Similarly, the unemployment rate, while still not at pre-
pandemic levels, improved from 14.7 percent in April 2020 \58\ to 6.0 
percent in March 2021. (Note, however, that higher unemployment in the 
top H-2B occupations remains.\59\)
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    \55\ See HHS Renewal of Determination That A Public Health 
Emergency Exists, https://www.phe.gov/emergency/news/healthactions/phe/Pages/COVID-15April2021.aspx (Apr. 15, 2021).
    \56\ https://www.bea.gov/news/glance.
    \57\ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-12/charting-the-global-economy-u-s-growth-forecasts-upgraded.
    \58\ https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2020/unemployment-rate-rises-to-record-high-14-point-7-percent-in-april-2020.htm
    \59\ Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, The 
Employment Situation, March 2021. Available at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/empsit_04022021.htm.
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    In March 2020, the U.S. labor market was severely affected by the 
onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing the national unemployment rate 
to near record levels and resulting in millions of U.S. workers being 
displaced from work. At the beginning of March 2020, the national 
unemployment rate was 3.5 percent with an estimated 5.8 million people 
categorized as unemployed.\60\ This continued a 6-month trend of the 
unemployment rate sitting at or below 3.5 percent. However, by the end 
of April 2020, the unemployment rate increased from 4.4 percent to a 
peak of 14.7 percent. The 10.3 percent increase in the unemployment 
rate is the largest recorded month-to-month increase in the rate and 
coincided with total employment declining 20.5 million in April 
2020.\61\ As of April 2021, the U.S. unemployment rate sat at 6.0 
percent. While this is a considerable decline from the prior year's 
rate, it remains 2.5 percent above the pre-pandemic unemployment rate, 
and the number of unemployed persons is currently 9.7 million people 
which is 4 million people higher than it was at the beginning of March 
2020. A February 2021 Congressional Budget Office outlook of the labor 
market projects that a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels of 
employment could take in excess of 3 years.\62\
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    \60\ https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/empsit_03062020.pdf.
    \61\ https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/empsit_05082020.pdf.
    \62\ https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2021-02/56965-Economic-Outlook.pdf.
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    Typically H-2B occupations are cyclical jobs, and U.S. workers in 
these occupations are more susceptible to job instability and labor 
market variability. Amongst the occupations most commonly associated 
with the H-2B program, the unemployment rate has displayed a wide 
degree of variance. Whereas the pre-pandemic unemployment rate for the 
U.S. was 3.5 percent, the unemployment rate across the top 25 
occupations most commonly associated with the H-2B program sat at 6.82 
percent.\63\ Currently the average unemployment rate across these 
occupations is 8.93 percent. The current unemployment rate for 
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers (the single largest occupation 
that uses the H-2B program) is 7.8 percent, followed by Amusement and 
Recreation Attendants at 9.3 percent, and 7.1 percent for Meat, 
Poultry, and Fish Cutters.\64\
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    \63\ See https://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cpseea30.htm. The 
unemployment rates for the top 25 H-2B occupations were obtained by 
identifying the top occupations based on OFLC performance data.
    \64\ See 2021 Q2 OFLC Performance data: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/oflc/pdfs/H-2B_Disclosure_Data_FY2021_Q2.xlsx 
and OFLC 2021 Q2 Selected statistics https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/oflc/pdfs/H-2B_Selected_Statistics_FY2021_Q2.pdf
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    From March 2020 through March 2021, approximately 1 million U.S. 
workers have been displaced across occupations that are predominantly 
used in the H-2B program.\65\ Because of the higher unemployment rate 
of these occupations for U.S. workers, there is an increased likelihood 
that more U.S. workers could be available to work in H-2B jobs. The 
Departments acknowledge that it is challenging to extrapolate, from 
national unemployment rates in occupations, precise estimates regarding 
the availability of U.S. workers for any particular job opportunity and 
in any particular geographic area. The additional procedures contained 
in this rule, including the attestation requirements and DOL 
procedures, provide appropriate protections for U.S. workers within the 
context of that uncertainty.
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    \65\ See https://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cpseea30.htm. The number 
of displaced workers within the most commonly held H-2B occupations 
were obtained by identifying the top occupations based on OFLC 
performance data and comparing those occupations to unemployment 
data from BLS.
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    Finally, while DOS temporarily suspended routine immigrant and 
nonimmigrant visa services at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates on 
March 20, 2020, it subsequently announced a phased resumption of visa 
services \66\ and indicated it would continue

[[Page 28207]]

processing H-2 cases as much as possible, as permitted by post 
resources and local government restrictions, and expanded the 
categories of H-2 visa applicants whose applications can be adjudicated 
without an in-person interview.\67\ In addition, Presidential 
Proclamation 10052, which temporarily suspended the entry of certain 
nonimmigrants, including certain H-2B nonimmigrants, expired on March 
31, 2021.\68\ Given the level of demand for H-2B workers, the continued 
and projected economic recovery, the continued and projected job 
growth, and the resumption of visa processing services and the 
expiration of the suspension of entry of H-2B nonimmigrants, DHS 
believes it is appropriate to release additional visas at this time. 
Further, DHS believes that 22,000 is an appropriate number of visas for 
the reasons discussed above.
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    \66\ DOS, Suspension of Routine Visa Services, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/suspension-of-routine-visa-services.html (last updated July 22, 2020).
    \67\ DOS, Expansion of Interview Waiver Eligibility, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/expansion-of-interview-waiver-eligibility.html (last updated Mar. 11, 2021); DOS, 
Important Announcement on H2 Visas, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/important-announcement-on-h2-visas.html (last updated Mar. 26, 2020).
    \68\ https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/update-on-presidential-proclamation-10052.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, recognizing the high demand for H-2B visas, it is 
plausible that the additional H-2B allocations provided in this rule 
will be reached prior to the end of the fiscal year. Specifically, the 
following scenarios may still occur:
     The 16,000 supplemental cap visas limited to returning 
workers that will be immediately available for employers will be 
reached before September 15, 2021.
     The 6,000 supplemental cap visas limited to nationals of 
the Northern Triangle countries will be reached before July 8, 2021.
     The cap for any remaining visas from the Northern Triangle 
allotment made available to returning workers after July 8, 
2021,regardless of the country of nationality, will be reached before 
September 15, 2021.
    DHS regulation, 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x)(E), reaffirms the use of the 
processes that are in place when H-2B numerical limitations under INA 
section 214(g)(1)(B) or (g)(10), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1)(B) or (g)(10), are 
reached, as applicable to each of the scenarios described above that 
involve numerical limitations of the supplemental cap. Specifically, 
for each of the scenarios mentioned above, DHS will monitor petitions 
received, and make projections of the number of petitions necessary to 
achieve the projected numerical limit of approvals. USCIS will also 
notify the public of the dates that USCIS has received the necessary 
number of petitions (the ``final receipt dates'') for each of these 
scenarios. The day the public is notified will not control the final 
receipt dates. Moreover, USCIS may randomly select, via computer-
generated selection, from among the petitions received on the final 
receipt date the remaining number of petitions deemed necessary to 
generate the numerical limit of approvals for each of the scenarios 
involving numerical limitations to the supplemental cap. USCIS may, but 
will not necessarily, conduct a lottery if: The 16,000 supplemental cap 
visas for returning workers is reached before September 15, 2021; the 
6,000 visas limited to nationals of the Northern Triangle countries is 
reached before July 8, 2021; or the cap for any remaining visas from 
the Northern Triangle allotment made available to returning workers 
regardless of the country of nationality, is reached before September 
15, 2021. Finally, similar to the processes applicable to the H-2B 
statutory cap, if the final receipt date is any of the first 5 business 
days on which petitions subject to the applicable numerical limit may 
be received (in other words, if the numerical limit is reached on any 
one of the first 5 business days that filings can be made), USCIS will 
randomly apply all of the numbers among the petitions received on any 
of those 5 business days.

C. Returning Workers

    Similar to the temporary increase in FY 2019, the Secretary of 
Homeland Security has determined that the supplemental visas should be 
granted to returning workers from the past 3 fiscal years, in order to 
meet the immediate need for H-2B workers, unless the H-2B worker is a 
national of one of the Northern Triangle countries and is counted 
towards the separate 6,000 cap for such workers. The Secretary has 
determined that, for purposes of this program, H-2B returning workers 
include those individuals who were issued an H-2B visa or were 
otherwise granted H-2B status in FY 2018, 2019, or 2020. As discussed 
above, the Secretary determined that limiting returning workers to 
those who were issued an H-2B visa or granted H-2B status in the past 
three fiscal years is appropriate as it mirrors the standard that 
Congress designated in previous returning worker provisions. DHS 
acknowledges that H-2B visa issuances and admissions were lower in the 
second half of FY 2021 than in recent fiscal years, likely as a result 
of COVID-19. However, DHS believes that there will be sufficient 
numbers of returning workers to meet the needs of employers and fully 
utilize the additional 16,000 visas, and thus the temporal limitation 
remains appropriate. Returning workers have previously obtained H-2B 
visas and therefore been vetted by DOS, would have departed the United 
States after their authorized period of stay as generally required by 
the terms of their nonimmigrant admission, and therefore may have a 
higher likelihood of success in obtaining their new visas through DOS, 
possibly without a required interview, and begin work more 
expeditiously.
    To ensure compliance with the requirement that additional visas 
only be made available to returning workers, petitioners seeking H-2B 
workers under the supplemental cap will be required to attest that each 
employee requested or instructed to apply for a visa under the FY 2021 
supplemental cap was issued an H-2B visa or otherwise granted H-2B 
status in FY 2018, 2019, or 2020, unless the H-2B worker is a national 
of one of the Northern Triangle countries and is counted towards the 
6,000 cap. This attestation will serve as prima facie initial evidence 
to DHS that each worker, unless a national of one of the Northern 
Triangle countries who is counted against the 6,000 cap, meets the 
returning worker requirement. DHS and DOS retain the right to review 
and verify that each beneficiary is in fact a returning worker any time 
before and after approval of the petition or visa. DHS has authority to 
review and verify this attestation during the course of an audit or 
investigation.

D. Returning Worker Exemption for up to 6,000 Visas for Nationals of 
Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras (Northern Triangle Countries)

    As described above, the Secretary of Homeland Security has 
determined that up to 6,000 additional H-2B visas will be limited to 
workers who are nationals of one of the Northern Triangle countries. 
These 6,000 visas will be exempt from the returning worker requirement. 
If the 6,000 visa limit has been reached and the 16,000 cap has not, 
petitioners may continue to request workers who are nationals of one of 
the Northern Triangle countries, but these noncitizens must be 
specifically requested as returning workers who were issued H-2B visas 
or were otherwise granted H-2B status in FY 2018, 2019, or 2020. 
Alternatively, if the returning worker exemption cap initially reserved 
for nationals from the Northern Triangle remains unfilled on July 8, 
2021, the remaining H-2B visas will be made available to workers

[[Page 28208]]

irrespective of their home country, but these noncitizens must be 
returning workers. USCIS will announce the availability of the 
remainder of the allocation on the USCIS website at uscis.gov no later 
than July 23, 2021.
    DHS has determined that reserving 6,000 supplemental H-2B visas for 
nationals of the Northern Triangle countries--a number significantly 
higher than the average annual number of visas issued to such persons 
in the past 6 fiscal years--will encourage U.S. employers who face a 
likelihood of irreparable harm to seek out workers from such countries, 
while, at the same time, increase interest among nationals of the 
Northern Triangle countries seeking temporary employment in the United 
States. DOS issued a combined total of approximately 26,600 H-2B visas 
to nationals of the Northern Triangle countries from FY 2015 through FY 
2020, an average of approximately 4,400 per year.\69\ As previously 
stated, DHS has determined that the additional increase will not only 
provide U.S. businesses who have been unable to find qualified and 
available U.S. workers with potential workers, but also promote lawful 
immigration and lawful employment authorization for Northern Triangle 
nationals.
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    \69\ DOS Monthly NIV Issuances by Nationality and Visa Class; 
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-statistics/nonimmigrant-visa-statistics.html (last visited April 11, 
2021).
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    While DHS reiterates the importance of limiting the general 
supplemental cap exclusively to returning workers, for the reasons 
stated previously, the Secretary has determined that the exemption from 
the returning worker requirement for nationals of the Northern Triangle 
countries is beneficial for the following reasons. It strikes a balance 
between furthering the U.S. foreign policy interests of expanding 
access to lawful pathways in the United States for Northern Triangle 
nationals and addressing the needs of certain H-2B employers at risk of 
suffering from irreparable harm. This policy initiative would also 
support the strategies for the region described in E.O. 14010, which 
directs DHS to implement efforts to expand access to lawful immigration 
to the United States, including visa programs, as appropriate and 
consistent with the law through both protection-related and non-
protection related programs. The availability of workers from the 
Northern Triangle countries may help provide U.S. employers with 
additional labor from neighboring countries who are committed to 
working with the United States and also promote safe and lawful 
immigration to the United States.
    Similar to the discussion above regarding returning workers, DOS 
will work with the relevant countries to facilitate consular 
interviews, as required,\70\ and channels for reporting incidents of 
fraud and abuse within the H-2 programs. Further, each country's own 
consular networks will maintain contact with the workers while in the 
United States and ensure the workers know their rights and 
responsibilities under the U.S. immigration laws, which are all 
valuable protections to the immigration system, U.S. employers, U.S. 
workers, and workers entering the country on H-2 visas.
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    \70\ As noted previously, some consular sections waive the in-
person interview requirement for H-2B applicants whose prior visa 
expired within a specific timeframe and who otherwise meet the 
strict limitations set out under INA section 222(h), 8 U.S.C. 
1202(h) and, as an effort to reduce the risk of COVID-19 
transmission, DOS recently expanded the ability of consular officers 
to waive the in-person interview requirement for individuals 
applying for a nonimmigrant visa in the same classification. DOS, 
Expansion of Interview Waiver Eligibility, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/expansion-of-interview-waiver-eligibility.html (last updated Mar. 11, 2021).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Nothing in this rule will limit the authority of DHS or DOS to 
deny, revoke, or take any other lawful action with respect to an H-2B 
petition or visa application at any time before or after approval of 
the H-2B petition or visa application.

E. Business Need Standard--Irreparable Harm and FY 2021 Attestation

    To file any H-2B petition under this rule during the remainder of 
FY 2021, petitioners must meet all existing H-2B eligibility 
requirements, including having an approved, valid, and unexpired TLC. 
See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6) and 20 CFR part 655, subpart A. In addition, the 
petitioner must submit an attestation to USCIS in which the petitioner 
affirms, under penalty of perjury, that it meets the business need 
standard. Under that standard, the petitioner must be able to establish 
that, if it does not receive all of the workers requested under the cap 
increase,\71\ it is likely to suffer irreparable harm, that is, 
permanent and severe financial loss. The TLC process focuses on 
establishing whether a petitioner has a temporary need for workers and 
whether there are U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified, and 
available to perform the temporary service or labor, and does not 
address the harm a petitioner may face in the absence of such workers; 
the attestation addresses this question. The attestation must be 
submitted directly to USCIS, together with Form I-129, the approved and 
valid TLC, and any other necessary documentation. As in the rules 
implementing the FY 2017, FY 2018, and FY 2019 temporary cap increases, 
employers will be required to complete the new attestation form which 
can be found at: https://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/form.cfm.\72\
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    \71\ An employer may request fewer workers on the H-2B petition 
than the number of workers listed on the TLC. See Instructions for 
Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, providing that ``the total number 
of workers you request on the petition must not exceed the number of 
workers approved by the Department of Labor or Guam Department of 
Labor, if required, on the temporary labor certification.''
    \72\ This portion of the temporary rule does not apply to 
workers who have already been counted under the fiscal year 2021 H-
2B statutory cap (66,000). Further, this portion of the rule does 
not apply to noncitizens who are exempt from the fiscal year 2021 H-
2B statutory cap, including those who are extending their stay in H-
2B status. Accordingly, petitioners who are filing on behalf of such 
workers are not subject to the attestation requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The attestation form will serve as prima facie initial evidence to 
DHS that the petitioner's business is likely to suffer irreparable 
harm. Any petition requesting H-2B workers under the FY 2021 
supplemental cap that is received lacking the requisite attestation 
form may be, as applicable, rejected in accordance with 8 CFR 
103.2(a)(7)(ii) or denied in accordance with 8 CFR 103.2(b)(8)(ii). 
Although this regulation does not require submission of evidence at the 
time of filing of the petition, other than an attestation, the employer 
must have such evidence on hand and ready to present to DHS or DOL at 
any time starting with the date of filing the I-129 petition, through 
the prescribed document retention period discussed below. In fact, the 
Departments intend to select a significant number of petitions approved 
for audit examination to verify compliance with program requirements, 
including the irreparable harm standard and recruitment provisions 
implemented through this rule. Failure to provide evidence 
demonstrating irreparable harm or to comply with the audit process may 
be considered a substantial violation resulting in an adverse agency 
action on the employer, including revocation of the petition and/or TLC 
or program debarment. Similarly, failure to cooperate with any 
compliance review, evaluation, verification, or inspection conducted by 
DHS or DOL as required by 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x)(B)(2)(vi) and (vii), 
respectively, may constitute a violation of the terms and conditions of 
an approved petition and lead to petition revocation under 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(11)(iii)(A)(3).
    In addition to the statement regarding the irreparable harm 
standard, the

[[Page 28209]]

attestation submitted to USCIS will also state that the employer meets 
all other eligibility criteria for the available visas, including the 
returning worker requirement, unless exempt because the H-2B worker is 
a national of one of the Northern Triangle countries who is counted 
against the 6,000 visas reserved for such workers; will comply with all 
assurances, obligations, and conditions of employment set forth in the 
Application for Temporary Employment Certification (Form ETA 9142B and 
appendices) certified by DOL for the job opportunity (which serves as 
the TLC); will conduct additional recruitment of U.S. workers in 
accordance with the requirements of this rule and discussed further 
below; and will document and retain evidence of such compliance. 
Because the attestation will be submitted to USCIS as initial evidence 
with Form I-129, DHS considers the attestation to be evidence that is 
incorporated into and a part of the petition consistent with 8 CFR 
103.2(b)(1). Accordingly, a petition may be denied or revoked, as 
applicable, based on or related to statements made in the attestation, 
including but not limited to the following grounds: (1) Because the 
employer failed to demonstrate employment of all of the requested 
workers as required under the irreparable harm standard; and (2) the 
employer failed to demonstrate that it requested and/or instructed that 
each worker petitioned for was a returning worker, or a national of one 
of the Northern Triangle countries, as required by this rule. Any 
denial or revocation on such basis, however, would be appealable under 
8 CFR part 103, consistent with DHS regulations and existing USCIS 
procedures.
    It is the view of the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Labor 
that requiring a post-TLC attestation to USCIS is the most practical 
approach, given the time remaining in FY 2021 and the need to assemble 
the necessary documentation. In addition, the employer is required to 
retain documentation, which must be provided upon request by DHS or 
DOL, supporting the new attestations regarding (1) the irreparable harm 
standard, (2) the returning worker requirement, or, alternatively, 
documentation supporting that the H-2B worker(s) requested is a 
national of one of the Northern Triangle countries who is counted 
against the 6,000 cap (which may be satisfied by the separate Form I-
129 that employers are required to file for such workers in accordance 
with this rule) and (3) a recruitment report for any additional 
recruitment required under this rule for a period of 3 years. See new 
20 CFR 655.68. Although the employer must have such documentation on 
hand at the time it files the petition, the Departments have determined 
that, if employers were required to submit the attestation form to DOL 
before filing a petition with DHS, the attendant delays would render 
any visas unlikely to satisfy the needs of American businesses given 
processing timeframes and the time remaining in this fiscal year. 
However, as noted above, the Departments will be conducting audits, 
investigations and/or post-adjudication compliance reviews on a 
significant number of H-2B petitions. As part of that process, USCIS 
may issue a request for additional evidence, a notice of intent to 
revoke, or a revocation notice, based on the review of such 
documentation, and DOL's OFLC and WHD will be able to review this 
documentation and enforce the attestations during the course of an 
audit examination or investigation. See 8 CFR 103.2(b) or 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(11).
    In accordance with the attestation requirements, under which 
petitioners attest that they meet the irreparable harm standard, that 
they are seeking to employ only returning workers (unless exempt as 
described above), and they meet the document retention requirements at 
new 20 CFR 655.68, the petitioner must retain documents and records 
fulfilling their responsibility to demonstrate compliance with this 
rule for 3 years from the date of the attestation, and must provide the 
documents and records upon the request of DHS or DOL. Supporting 
evidence may include, but is not limited to, the following types of 
documentation:
    (1) Evidence that the business has suffered or will suffer 
permanent and severe financial loss due to the inability to meet 
financial or existing contractual obligations without all of the H-2B 
workers, including evidence of contracts, reservations, orders, or 
other business arrangements that have been or would be cancelled absent 
the requested H-2B workers, and evidence demonstrating an inability to 
pay debts/bills;
    (2) Evidence that the business has suffered or will suffer 
permanent and severe financial loss during the period of need, as 
compared to the period of need in prior years, such as financial 
statements (including profit/loss statements) comparing the present 
period of need to prior years; bank statements, tax returns, or other 
documents showing evidence of current and past financial condition; and 
relevant tax records, employment records, or other similar documents 
showing hours worked and payroll comparisons from prior years to 
current year;
    (3) Evidence showing the number of workers needed in the previous 
three seasons (FY 2018, 2019 and 2020) to meet the employer's need as 
compared to those currently employed. Such evidence must indicate the 
dates of their employment, and their hours worked (for example, payroll 
records) and evidence showing the number of H-2B workers requested 
under this rule, the number of workers it claims are needed, the 
workers' actual dates of employment and hours worked;
    (4) Evidence that the petitioner is reliant on obtaining a certain 
number of workers to operate, based on the nature and size of the 
business, such as documentation showing the number of workers it has 
needed to maintain its operations in the past, or will need 
prospectively, including but not limited to; a detailed business plan, 
copies of purchase orders or other requests for good and services, or 
other reliable forecast of its need for workers; and/or
    (5) With respect to satisfying the returning worker requirement, 
evidence that the employer requested and/or instructed that each of the 
workers petitioned by the employer in connection with this temporary 
rule were issued H-2B visas or otherwise granted H-2B status in FY 
2018, 2019, or 2020, unless the H-2B worker is a national of one of the 
Northern Triangle countries counted towards the 6,000 cap. Such 
evidence would include, but is not limited to, a date-stamped written 
communication from the employer to its agent(s) and/or recruiter(s) 
that instructs the agent(s) and/or recruiter(s) to only recruit and 
provide instruction regarding an application for an H-2B visa to those 
foreign workers who were previously issued an H-2B visa or granted H-2B 
status in FY 2018, 2019, or 2020.
    These examples are not exhaustive, nor will they necessarily 
establish that the business meets the irreparable harm or returning 
worker standards; petitioners may retain other types of evidence they 
believe will satisfy these standards. When an approved petition is 
selected for audit examination or investigation, DHS or DOL will review 
all evidence available to it to confirm that the petitioner properly 
attested to DHS that their business would likely suffer irreparable 
harm and that they petitioned for and employed only returning workers, 
unless the H-2B worker is a national of one of the Northern Triangle 
countries counted

[[Page 28210]]

towards the 6,000 cap. If DHS subsequently finds that the evidence does 
not support the employer's attestations, DHS may deny or, if the 
petition has already been approved, revoke the petition at any time 
consistent with existing regulatory authorities. DHS may also, or 
alternatively, notify DOL. In addition, DOL may independently take 
enforcement action, including by, among other things, debarring the 
petitioner from the H-2B program for not less than 1 year or more than 
5 years from the date of the final agency decision, which also 
disqualifies the debarred party from filing any labor certification 
applications or labor condition applications with DOL for the same 
period set forth in the final debarment decision. See, e.g., 20 CFR 
655.73; 29 CFR 503.20, 503.24.\73\
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    \73\ Pursuant to the statutory provisions governing enforcement 
of the H-2B program, INA section 214(c)(14), 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(14), a 
violation exists under the H-2B program where there has been a 
willful misrepresentation of a material fact in the petition or a 
substantial failure to meet any of the terms and conditions of the 
petition. A substantial failure is a willful failure to comply that 
constitutes a significant deviation from the terms and conditions. 
See, e.g., 29 CFR 503.19.
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    To the extent that evidence reflects a preference for hiring H-2B 
workers over U.S. workers, an investigation by other agencies enforcing 
employment and labor laws, such as the Immigrant and Employee Rights 
Section (IER) of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, may 
be warranted. See INA section 274B, 8 U.S.C. 1324b (prohibiting certain 
types of employment discrimination based on citizenship status or 
national origin). Moreover, DHS and DOL may refer potential 
discrimination to IER pursuant to applicable interagency agreements. 
See IER, Partnerships, https://www.justice.gov/crt/partnerships (last 
visited Apr. 9, 2021). In addition, if members of the public have 
information that a participating employer may be abusing this program, 
DHS invites them to notify USCIS by completing the online fraud tip 
form, https://www.uscis.gov/report-fraud/uscis-tip-form (last visited 
Apr. 9, 2021).\74\
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    \74\ DHS may publicly disclose information regarding the H-2B 
program consistent with applicable law and regulations. For 
information about DHS disclosure of information contained in a 
system of records, see https://www.dhs.gov/system-records-notices-sorns. Additional general information about DHS privacy policy 
generally can be accessed at https://www.dhs.gov/policy.
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    DHS, in exercising its statutory authority under INA section 
101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b), and section 105 
of the FY 2021 Omnibus, is responsible for adjudicating eligibility for 
H-2B classification. As in all cases, the burden rests with the 
petitioner to establish eligibility by a preponderance of the evidence. 
INA section 291, 8 U.S.C. 1361. Matter of Chawathe, 25 l&N Dec. 369, 
375-76 (AAO 2010). Accordingly, as noted above, where the petition 
lacks initial evidence, such as a properly completed attestation, DHS 
may, as applicable, reject the petition in accordance with 8 CFR 
103.2(a)(7)(ii) or deny the petition in accordance with 8 CFR 
103.2(b)(8)(ii). Further, where the initial evidence submitted with the 
petition contains inconsistencies or is inconsistent with other 
evidence in the petition and the underlying TLC, DHS may issue a 
Request for Evidence, Notice of Intent to Deny, or Denial in accordance 
with 8 CFR 103.2(b)(8). In addition, where it is determined that an H-
2B petition filed pursuant to the FY 2021 Omnibus was granted 
erroneously, the H-2B petition approval may be revoked. See 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(11).
    Because of the particular circumstances of this regulation, and 
because the attestation and other requirements of this rule play a 
vital role in achieving the purposes of this rule, DHS and DOL intend 
that the attestation requirement, DOL procedures, and other aspects of 
this rule be non-severable from the remainder of the rule, including 
the increase in the numerical allocations.\75\ Thus, in the event the 
attestation requirement or any other part of this rule is enjoined or 
held invalid, the remainder of the rule, with the exception of the 
retention requirements being codified in 20 CFR 655.68, is also 
intended to cease operation in the relevant jurisdiction, without 
prejudice to workers already present in the United States under this 
regulation, as consistent with law.
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    \75\ The Departments' intentions with respect to non-
severability extend to all features of this rule other than the 
portability provision, which is described in the section below.
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G. Portability

    As an additional option for employers that cannot find U.S. workers 
this rule allows petitioners to hire immediately certain H-2B workers 
that are already present in the United States in H-2B status without 
waiting for approval of a new H-2B petition. Specifically, the rule 
allows H-2B nonimmigrant workers to begin new employment with a new H-
2B employer or agent upon USCIS' receipt of a timely, non-frivolous H-
2B petition. The H-2B nonimmigrant worker must have been lawfully 
admitted to the United States, must not have worked without 
authorization subsequent to such lawful admission, and must currently 
hold valid H-2B status. Since every H-2B petition must be accompanied 
by an approved TLC, all H-2B petitioners must have completed a test of 
the U.S. labor market, as a result of which DOL determined that there 
were no qualified U.S. workers available to fill these temporary 
positions.
    This provision mirrors temporary flexibilities that DHS has used 
previously to improve employer access to noncitizen workers during the 
COVID-19 pandemic.\76\ In the context of this rule, DHS believes this 
flexibility will help some U.S. employers address the challenges 
related to the limitations imposed by the cap, as well as due to the 
ongoing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has 
resulted in a variety of travel restrictions and visa processing 
limitations to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
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    \76\ On May 14, 2020, DHS published a temporary final rule in 
the Federal Register to amend certain H-2B requirements to help H-2B 
petitioners seeking workers to perform temporary nonagricultural 
services or labor essential to the U.S. food supply chain. 85 FR 
28843 (May 14, 2020). In addition, on April 20, 2020, DHS issued a 
temporary final rule which, among other flexibilities, allowed H-2A 
workers to change employers and begin work before USCIS approved the 
new H-2A petition for the new employer. 85 FR 21739. DHS has 
subsequently extended that portability provision for H-2A workers 
through two additional temporary final rules, on August 20, 2020, 
and December 18, 2020, which have been effective for H-2A petitions 
that were received on or after August 19, 2020 through December 17, 
2020, and on or after December 18, 2020 through June 16, 2021, 
respectively. 85 FR 51304 and 85 FR 82291.
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    In addition to resulting in a devastating loss of life, the 
worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 has impacted the United States in myriad 
ways, disrupting daily life, travel, and the operation of individual 
businesses and the economy at large. On January 31, 2020, the Secretary 
of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a 
public health emergency dating back to January 27, 2020, under section 
319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d).\77\ This 
determination that a public health emergency exists due to COVID-19 has 
subsequently been renewed five times: On April 21, 2020, on July 23, 
2020, on October 2, 2020, on January 7, 2021, and most recently on 
April 15, 2021, effective April 21, 2021.\78\ On March 13, 2020, then-
President Trump declared a National Emergency concerning the

[[Page 28211]]

COVID-19 outbreak to control the spread of the virus in the United 
States.\79\ The proclamation declared that the emergency began on March 
1, 2020. DOS temporarily suspended routine immigrant and nonimmigrant 
visa services at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates on March 20, 2020, 
and subsequently announced a phased resumption of visa services in 
which it would continue to provide emergency and mission critical visa 
services and resume routine visa services as local conditions and 
resources allowed.\80\ Based on the importance of the H-2A temporary 
agricultural worker and H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker programs, 
DOS indicated it would continue processing H-2A and H-2B cases to the 
extent possible, as permitted by post resources and local government 
restrictions, and expanded the categories of H-2 visa applicants whose 
applications can be adjudicated without an in-person interview.\81\ As 
recently as April 6, 2021, however, DOS noted the COVID-19 pandemic 
continues to have a severe adverse impact on routine visa services for 
embassies and consulates around the world.\82\
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    \77\ HHS, Determination of Public Health Emergency, 85 FR 7316 
(Feb. 7, 2020).
    \78\ See HHS Renewal of Determination That A Public Health 
Emergency Exists, https://www.phe.gov/emergency/news/healthactions/phe/Pages/COVID-15April2021.aspx (Apr. 15, 2021).
    \79\ Proclamation 9994 of Mar. 13, 2020, Declaring a National 
Emergency Concerning the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak, 85 
FR 15337 (Mar. 18, 2020).
    \80\ DOS, Suspension of Routine Visa Services, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/suspension-of-routine-visa-services.html (last updated July 22, 2020).
    \81\ DOS, Important Announcement on H2 Visas, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/important-announcement-on-h2-visas.html (last updated Mar. 26, 2020).
    \82\ DOS, Visa Services Operating Status Update, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/visa-services-operating-status-update.html (last updated, Apr. 6, 2021).
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    Further, due to the possibility that some H-2B workers may be 
unavailable due to visa processing delays or may become unavailable due 
to COVID-19 related illness or a legitimate fear of contracting COVID-
19 under current conditions, U.S. employers that have approved H-2B 
petitions or who will be filing H-2B petitions in accordance with this 
rule might not receive all of the workers requested to fill the 
temporary positions.
    DHS is strongly committed not only to protecting U.S. workers and 
helping U.S. businesses receive the documented and work-authorized 
workers to perform temporary nonagricultural services or labor that 
they need, but also to protecting the rights and interests of H-2B 
workers (consistent with Executive Order 13563 and in particular its 
reference to ``equity,'' ``fairness,'' and ``human dignity''). In the 
FY 2020 DHS Further Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 116-
94), Congress directed DHS to provide options to improve the H-2A and 
H-2B visa programs, to include options that would protect worker 
rights.\83\ DHS has determined that providing H-2B nonimmigrant workers 
with the flexibility of being able to begin work with a new H-2B 
petitioner immediately and avoid a potential job loss or loss of income 
while the new H-2B petition is pending, provides some certainty to H-2B 
workers who have maintained their status but may have found themselves 
in situations that warrant a change in employers.\84\ Providing that 
flexibility is also equitable and fair.
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    \83\ The Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the Fiscal 
Year (FY) 2020 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Further 
Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 116-94) states, ``H-2A 
and H-2B Visa Program Processes.--Not later than 120 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, DHS, the Department of Labor, the 
Department of State, and the United States Digital Service are 
directed to report on options to improve the execution of the H-2A 
and H-2B visa programs, including: processing efficiencies; 
combatting human trafficking; protecting worker rights; and reducing 
employer burden, to include the disadvantages imposed on such 
employers due to the current semiannual distribution of H-2B visas 
on October 1 and April 1 of each fiscal year. USCIS is encouraged to 
leverage prior year materials relating to the issuance of additional 
H-2B visas, to include previous temporary final rules, to improve 
processing efficiencies.''
    \84\ The National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, 
Priority Action 1.6.3, at p. 20-21 (2020) (Stating that ``[w]orkers 
sometimes find themselves in abusive work situations, but because 
their immigration status is dependent on continued employment with 
the employer in whose name the visa has been issued, workers may be 
left with few options to leave that situation.'' By providing the 
option of changing employers without risking job loss or a loss of 
income through the publication of this rule, DHS believes that H-2B 
workers may be more likely to leave abusive work situations, and 
thereby are afforded greater worker protections.)
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    Portability for H-2B workers provides these noncitizens with the 
option of not having to worry about job loss or loss of income between 
the time they leave a current employer and while they await approved 
employment with a new U.S. employer or agent. DHS believes this 
flexibility and job portability not only protects H-2B workers but also 
provides an alternative to H-2B petitioners who have not been able to 
find U.S. workers and who have not been able to obtain H-2B workers 
subject to the statutory or supplemental caps who have the skills to 
perform the job duties. In that sense as well, it is equitable and 
fair.
    DHS is making this flexibility available for a 180-day period in 
order to provide stability for H-2B employers amidst uncertainties 
surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. This period is justified especially 
given the possible future impacts of COVID-19 variants, continuing 
limited vaccine access for certain groups (including in H-2B workers' 
home countries), and uncertainty regarding the duration of vaccine-
gained immunity and how effective currently approved vaccines are in 
responding to COVID-19 variants.\85\ DHS will continue to monitor the 
evolving health crisis caused by COVID-19 and may address it in future 
rules.
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    \85\ See, About Variants of the Virus that Causes COVID-19, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last updated April 2, 
2021. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant.html, Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html?s_cid=10499:what%20is%20the%20covid%20vaccine:sem.ga:p:RG:GM:gen:PTN:FY21 (Last visited April 14, 2021).
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H. COVID-19 Worker Protections

    It is the policy of DHS and its Federal partners to support equal 
access to the COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine distribution sites, 
irrespective of an individuals' immigration status.\86\ This policy 
promotes fairness and equity (see Executive Order 13563). Accordingly, 
DHS and DOL encourage all individuals, regardless of their immigration 
status, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. U.S. Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection do not conduct 
enforcement operations at or near vaccine distribution sites or 
clinics. Consistent with ICE's long-standing sensitive locations 
policy, ICE does not and will not carry out enforcement operations at 
or near health care facilities, such as hospitals, doctors' offices, 
accredited health clinics, and emergent or urgent care facilities, 
except in the most extraordinary of circumstances.
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    \86\ See DHS Statement on Equal Access to COVID-19 Vaccines and 
Vaccine Distribution Sites, https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/02/01/dhs-statement-equal-access-covid-19-vaccines-and-vaccine-distribution-sites (Feb. 1, 2021), (accessed Apr. 28, 2021).
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    This TFR reflects that policy by providing as follows:
    Supplemental H-2B Visas: With respect to petitioners who wish to 
qualify to receive supplemental H-2B visas pursuant to the FY 2021 
Omnibus, the Departments are using the DOL Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4 to 
support equal access to vaccines in two ways. First, the Departments 
are requiring such petitioners to attest on the DOL Form ETA-9142-B-
CAA-4 that, consistent with such petitioners' obligations under 
generally applicable H-2B regulations, they will comply with all 
Federal, State, and local employment-related laws and

[[Page 28212]]

regulations, including health and safety laws and laws related to 
COVID-19 worker protections and any right to time off or paid time off 
for COVID-19 vaccination. See new 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x)(B)(2)(iii) and 
20 CFR 655.64(a)(4). Second, the Departments are requiring such 
petitioners to also attest that they will notify any H-2B workers 
approved under the supplemental cap, in a language understood by the 
worker, as necessary or reasonable, that all persons in the United 
States, including nonimmigrants, have equal access to COVID-19 vaccines 
and vaccine distribution sites. Because the attestation will be 
submitted to USCIS as initial evidence with Form I-129, DHS considers 
the attestation to be evidence that is incorporated into and a part of 
the petition consistent with 8 CFR 103.2(b)(1). Accordingly, a petition 
may be denied or revoked, as applicable, based on or related to 
statements made in the attestation, including, but not limited to, 
because the employer violated an applicable employment-related law or 
regulation, or failed to notify workers regarding equal access to 
COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine distribution sites.
    Other H-2B Employers: While there is no additional attestation with 
respect to H-2B petitioners that do not avail themselves of the 
supplemental H-2B visas made available under this rule, the Departments 
remind all H-2B employers that they must comply with all Federal, 
State, and local employment-related laws and regulations, including 
health and safety laws and laws related to COVID-19 worker protections 
and any right to time off or paid time off for COVID-19 vaccination. 
Failure to comply with such laws may be a basis for DHS to revoke the 
petition under 8 CFR 214.2(h)(11). This obligation is also reflected as 
a condition of H-2B portability under this rule. See new 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(26)(iii)(C).
    Ensuring that the Departments encourage employers to provide access 
to COVID-19 vaccines is consistent with the policies of the Biden 
Administration. President Biden, in his speech to Joint Session of 
Congress, made the following statement: ``[T]oday, I'm announcing a 
program to address [the issue of COVID vaccinations] . . . nationwide. 
I'm calling on every employer, large and small, in every state, to give 
employees the time off they need, with pay, to get vaccinated and any 
time they need, with pay, to recover if they are feeling under the 
weather after the shot.'' \87\ Consistent with the President's 
statement, the Departments strongly urge, but do not require, that all 
employers seeking H-2B workers under either the Supplemental Cap or 
portability sections of the TFR, make every effort to ensure that all 
their workers, including nonimmigrant workers, be afforded an 
opportunity to take the time off needed to get receive their COVID-19 
vaccinations, as well as time off, with pay, to recover from any 
temporary side effect.
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    \87\ See https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/04/21/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-covid-19-response-and-the-state-of-vaccinations-2/.
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    As noted, Executive Order 13563 refers to fairness, equity, and 
human dignity, and such efforts, on the part of employers, would be 
consistent with those commitments.
    Petitioners otherwise are strongly encouraged to facilitate and 
provide flexibilities, to the greatest extent possible, to all workers 
who wish to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

I. DHS Petition Procedures

    To petition for H-2B workers under this rule, the petitioner must 
file a Form I-129 in accordance with applicable regulations and form 
instructions, an unexpired TLC, and the attestation form described 
above. All H-2B petitions must state the nationality of all the 
requested H-2B workers, whether named or unnamed, even if there are 
beneficiaries from more than one country. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(2)(iii). 
If filing multiple Forms I-129 based on the same TLC (for instance, one 
requesting returning workers and another requesting workers who are 
nationals of one of the Northern Triangle countries), each H-2B 
petition must include a copy of the TLC and reference all previously-
filed or concurrently filed petitions associated with the same TLC. The 
total number of requested workers may not exceed the total number of 
workers indicated on the approved TLC. Petitioners seeking H-2B 
classification for Northern Triangle country nationals under the 6,000 
visas that are exempt from the returning worker provision must file a 
separate Form I-129 for those Northern Triangle country nationals only. 
See new 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x). Requiring the filing of separate 
petitions to request returning workers and to request workers who are 
Northern Triangle country nationals is necessary to ensure the 
operational capability to properly calculate and manage the respective 
additional cap allocations and to ensure that all corresponding visa 
issuances are limited to qualifying applicants, particularly when such 
petitions request unnamed beneficiaries or are relied upon for 
subsequent requests to substitute beneficiaries in accordance with 8 
CFR 214.2(h)(6)(viii). The attestations must be filed on Form ETA-9142-
B-CAA-4, Attestation for Employers Seeking to Employ H-2B Nonimmigrants 
Workers Under Section 105 of Division O of the Further Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2021 Public Law 116-260. See 20 CFR 655.64. A 
petitioner is required to retain a copy of such attestations and all 
supporting evidence for 3 years from the date the associated TLC was 
approved, consistent with 20 CFR 655.56 and 29 CFR 503.17. See new 20 
CFR 655.68. Petitions submitted to DHS pursuant to the FY 2021 Omnibus 
will be processed in the order in which they were received. Petitioners 
may also choose to request premium processing of their petitions under 
8 CFR 103.7(e), which allows for expedited processing for an additional 
fee.
    To encourage timely filing of any petition seeking a visa under the 
FY 2021 Omnibus, DHS is notifying the public that the petition may not 
be approved by USCIS on or after October 1, 2021. See new 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(6)(x). Petitions pending with USCIS that are not approved 
before October 1, 2021 will be denied and any fees will not be 
refunded. See new 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x).
    USCIS's current processing goal for H-2B petitions filed via 
premium processing that can be adjudicated without the need for further 
evidence (in other words, without a Request for Evidence or Notice of 
Intent to Deny) is 15 days. USCIS intends to adjudicate petitions filed 
for standard processing within a reasonable period of time.\88\ Given 
USCIS' processing goals for premium processing, DHS believes that 15 
days from the end of the fiscal year is the minimum time needed for 
petitions to be adjudicated, although USCIS cannot guarantee the time 
period will be sufficient in all cases. Therefore, if the increase in 
the H-2B numerical limitation to 22,000 visas has not yet been reached, 
USCIS will stop accepting petitions received after September 15, 2021. 
See new 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x)(C). Such petitions will be rejected and 
the filing fees will be returned.
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    \88\ These processing goals are not binding on USCIS; depending 
on the evidence presented, actual processing times may vary.
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    As with other Form I-129 filings, DHS encourages petitioners to 
provide a duplicate copy of Form I-129 and all supporting documentation 
at the time of filing if the beneficiary is seeking a

[[Page 28213]]

nonimmigrant visa abroad. Failure to submit a duplicate copy may cause 
a delay in the issuance of a visa to an otherwise eligible 
applicant.\89\
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    \89\ Petitioners should note that under section 105, the H-2B 
numerical increase relates to the total number of noncitizens who 
may receive a visa under INA section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) in this 
fiscal year.
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J. DOL Procedures

    As noted above, all employers are required to have an approved and 
valid TLC from DOL in order to file a Form I-129 petition with DHS. See 
8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iv)(A) and (D). The standards and procedures 
governing the submission and processing of Applications for Temporary 
Employment Certification for employers seeking to hire H-2B workers are 
set forth in 20 CFR part 655, subpart A. Employers with an approved TLC 
have conducted recruitment, as set forth in 20 CFR 655.40 through 
655.48, to determine whether U.S. workers are qualified and available 
to perform the work for which H-2B workers are sought.
    In addition to the recruitment already conducted in connection with 
a valid TLC, in order to ensure the recruitment has not become stale, 
employers that wish to obtain visas for their workers under 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(6)(x), and who file an I-129 petition 45 or more days after 
the certified start date of work on the TLC must conduct additional 
recruitment for U.S. workers. This is particularly important this year 
as U.S. workers have begun to, and will continue to, reenter the 
workforce as they become vaccinated and the COVID-19 emergency 
subsides.
    As noted in the 2015 H-2B Interim Final Rule, U.S. workers seeking 
employment in temporary or seasonal nonagricultural jobs typically do 
not search for work months in advance, and cannot make commitments 
about their availability for employment far in advance of the work 
start date. See 80 FR 24041, 24061, 24071. Given that the temporary 
labor certification process generally begins 75 to 90 days in advance 
of the employer's start date of work, employer recruitment efforts 
typically occur between 40 and 60 days before that date with an 
obligation to provide employment to any qualified U.S. worker who 
applies until 21 days before the date of need. Therefore, employers 
with TLCs containing a start date of work on April 1, 2021, likely 
conducted their positive recruitment beginning around late-January and 
ending around mid-February 2021, and continued to consider U.S. worker 
applicants and referrals only until March 11, 2021.
    In order to provide U.S. workers a realistic opportunity to pursue 
jobs for which employers will be seeking foreign workers under this 
rule, the Departments have determined that if employers file an I-129 
petition 45 or more days after their dates of need, they have not 
conducted recruitment recently enough for the Departments to reasonably 
conclude that there are currently an insufficient number of U.S. 
workers who are qualified, willing, and available to perform the work 
absent taking additional, positive recruitment steps. The 45-day 
threshold for additional recruitment identified in this rule reflects a 
timeframe between the end of the employer's recruitment and filing of 
the petition similar to that provided under the FY 2018 and FY 2019 H-
2B supplemental cap rules.
    An employer who files an I-129 petition under 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x) 
less than 45 after the certified start date of work on the TLC must 
submit the TLC and a completed Form ETA-9142B-CAA-4, but is not 
required to conduct recruitment for U.S. workers beyond the recruitment 
already conducted as a condition of certification. Only those employers 
with still-valid TLCs with a start date of work that is 45 or more days 
before the date they file a petition will be required to conduct 
recruitment in addition to that conducted prior to being granted labor 
certification and attest that the recruitment will be conducted, as 
follows.
    The employer must place a new job order for the job opportunity 
with the State Workforce Agency (SWA) serving the area of intended 
employment no later than the next business day after submitting an I-
129 petition for H-2B workers to USCIS. The job order must contain the 
job assurances and contents set forth in 20 CFR 655.18 for recruitment 
of U.S. workers at the place of employment, and remain posted for at 
least 15 calendar days. The employer must also follow all applicable 
SWA instructions for posting job orders and receive applications in all 
forms allowed by the SWA, including online applications. The 
Departments have concluded that keeping the job order posted for a 
period of 15 calendar days, during the period the employer is 
conducting the additional recruitment steps explained below, will 
effectively ensure U.S. workers are apprised of the job opportunity and 
are referred for employment, if they are willing, qualified, and 
available to perform the work. The 15 calendar day period also is 
consistent with the employer-conducted recruitment activity period 
applicable under 20 CFR 655.40(b).
    The employer also must conduct additional recruitment steps during 
the period of time the SWA is actively circulating the job order for 
intrastate clearance. First, the employer must contact, by email or 
other electronic means, the nearest American Job Center(s) (AJC) 
offering business services and serving the area of intended employment 
where work will commence to request staff assistance to advertise and 
recruit U.S. workers for the job opportunity. AJCs bring together a 
variety of programs providing a wide range of employment and training 
services for U.S. workers, including job search services and assistance 
for prospective workers and recruitment services for employers through 
the Wagner-Peyser Program. Therefore, AJCs can offer assistance to 
employers with recruitment of U.S. workers, and contact with local AJCs 
will facilitate contemporaneous and effective recruitment activities 
that can broaden dissemination of the employer's job opportunity 
through connections with other partner programs within the One-Stop 
System to locate qualified U.S. workers to fill the employer's labor 
need. For example, the local AJC may contact community-based 
organizations in the geographic area that serve potentially qualified 
workers or, when a job opportunity is in an occupation or industry that 
is traditionally or customarily unionized, the local AJC is well-
positioned to identify and circulate the job order to appropriate union 
offices, consistent with 20 CFR 655.33(b)(5). In addition, as a partner 
program in the One-Stop System, AJCs are connected with the state's 
unemployment insurance program, thus an employer's connection with the 
AJC will help facilitate knowledge of the job opportunity to U.S. 
workers actively seeking employment. When contacting the AJC(s), the 
employer must provide staff with the job order number or, if the job 
order number is unavailable, a copy of the job order.
    To increase navigability and to make the process as convenient as 
possible, DOL offers an online service for employers to locate the 
nearest local AJC at https://www.careeronestop.org/ and by selecting 
the ``Find Local Help'' feature on the main homepage. This feature will 
navigate the employer to a search function called ``Find an American 
Job Center'' where the city, state or zip code covering the geographic 
area where work will commence can be entered. Once entered and the 
search function is executed, the online service will return a listing 
of the

[[Page 28214]]

name(s) of the AJC(s) serving that geographic area as well as contact 
option(s) and an indication as to whether the AJC is a 
``comprehensive'' or ``affiliate'' center. Employers must contact an 
AJC that is labeled ``comprehensive center'' as those offer the full 
range of employment and business services. As explained on the locator 
website, many AJCs continue to offer virtual or remote services due to 
the pandemic with physical office locations temporarily closed for in-
person and mail processing services. Therefore, this rule requires that 
employers utilize available electronic methods for the nearest AJC to 
meet the contact and disclosure requirements in this rule.
    Second, during the period of time the SWA is actively circulating 
the job order described in paragraph (a)(5)(i) for intrastate 
clearance, the employer must make reasonable efforts to contact (by 
mail or other effective means) its former U.S. workers that it employed 
in the occupation at the place of employment (except those who were 
dismissed for cause or who abandoned the worksite) during the period 
beginning January 1, 2019, until the date the I-129 petition required 
under 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x) is submitted. Among the employees the 
employer must contact are those who have been furloughed or laid off 
during this period. The employer must disclose to its former employees 
the terms of the job order, and solicit their return to the job. The 
contact and disclosures required by this paragraph must be provided in 
a language understood by the worker, as necessary or reasonable.
    Furloughed employees are employees the employer laid off (as the 
term is defined in 20 CFR 655.5 and 29 CFR 503.4), but the layoff is 
intended to last for a temporary period of time. This recruitment step 
will help ensure notice of the job opportunity is disseminated broadly 
to U.S. workers who were laid off or furloughed during the COVID-19 
outbreak and who may be seeking employment as the economy begins to 
recover in 2021. While this requirement goes beyond the requirement at 
20 CFR 655.43, the Departments believes it is appropriate given the 
evolving conditions of the U.S. labor market, as described above, and 
the increased likelihood that qualified U.S. workers will make 
themselves available for these job opportunities.
    Third, as the employer was required to do when initially applying 
for its labor certification, the employer must provide a copy of the 
job order to the bargaining representative for employees in the 
occupation and area of intended employment, consistent with 20 CFR 
655.45(a), or if there is no bargaining representative, post the job 
order in the places and manner described in 20 CFR 655.45(b).
    The requirements to contact former U.S. workers and provide notice 
to the bargaining representative or post the job order must be 
conducted in a language understood by the workers, as necessary or 
reasonable. This requirement would apply, for example, in situations 
where an employer has one or more employees who do not speak English as 
their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, write, 
speak, or understand English. This requirement would allow those 
workers to make informed decisions regarding the job opportunity, and 
is a reasonable interpretation of the recruitment requirements in 20 
CFR part 655, subpart A, in light of the need to ensure that the test 
of the U.S. labor market is as comprehensive as possible. Consistent 
with existing language requirements in the H-2B program under 20 CFR 
655.20(l), DOL intends to broadly interpret the necessary or reasonable 
qualification, and apply an exemption only in those situations where 
having the job order translated into a particular language would both 
place an undue burden on an employer and not significantly disadvantage 
the employee.
    The employer must hire any qualified U.S. worker who applies or is 
referred for the job opportunity until either (1) the date on which the 
last H-2B worker departs for the place of employment, or (2) 30 days 
after the last date on which the SWA job order is posted, whichever is 
later. Additionally, consistent with 20 CFR 655.40(a), applicants may 
be rejected only for lawful job-related reasons. Given that the 
employer, SWA, and AJC(s) will be actively engaged in conducting 
recruitment and broader dissemination of the job opportunity during the 
period of time the job order is active, this requirement provides an 
adequate period of time for U.S. workers to contact the employer or SWA 
for referral to the employer and completion of the additional 
recruitment steps described above. As explained above, the Departments 
have determined that if employers file a petition 45 or more days after 
their dates of need, they have not conducted recruitment recently 
enough for the Departments to reasonably conclude that there are 
currently an insufficient number of U.S. workers qualified, willing, 
and available to perform the work absent additional recruitment.
    Because of the abbreviated timeline for the additional recruitment 
required for employers whose initial recruitment has gone stale, the 
Departments have determined that a longer hiring period is necessary to 
approximate the hiring period under normal recruitment procedures and 
ensure that domestic workers have access to these job opportunities, 
consistent with the Departments' mandate. Additionally, given the 
relatively brief period during which additional recruitment will occur, 
additional time may be necessary for U.S. workers to have a meaningful 
opportunity to learn about the job opportunities and submit 
applications.
    Although the hiring period may require some employers to hire U.S. 
workers after the start of the contract period, this is not 
unprecedented. For example, in the H-2A program, employers have been 
required to hire U.S. workers through 50 percent of the contract period 
since at least 2010,\90\ which ``enhance[s] protections for U.S. 
workers, to the maximum extent possible, while balancing the potential 
costs to employers,'' and is consistent with the Departments' 
responsibility to ensure that these job opportunities are available to 
U.S. workers.\91\ The Department acknowledges that hiring workers after 
the start of the contract period imposes an additional cost on 
employers, but that cost can be lessened, in part, by the ability to 
discharge the H-2B worker upon hiring a U.S. worker. Additionally, this 
rule permits employers to immediately hire H-2B workers who are already 
present in the United States without waiting for approval of an H-2B 
petition, which will reduce the potential for harm to H-2B workers as a 
result of displacement by U.S. workers. See new 8 CFR 214.2(h)(26). 
Most importantly, a longer hiring period will ensure that available 
U.S. workers have a viable opportunity to apply for H-2B job 
opportunities. Accordingly, the Departments have determined that in 
affording the benefits of this temporary cap increase to businesses 
that need workers to avoid irreparable harm, it is necessary to ensure 
U.S. workers who may be seeking employment as the economy begins to 
recover in 2021 have sufficient time to apply for these jobs.
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    \90\ Final Rule, Temporary Agricultural Employment of H-2A 
Aliens in the United States, 75 FR 6884, 6921 (Feb. 12, 2010).
    \91\ NPRM, Temporary Agricultural Employment of H-2A Aliens in 
the United States, 74 FR 45906, 45917 (Sept. 4, 2009); 75 FR at 
6922.
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    Finally, as in the temporary rules implementing the supplemental 
cap increases in prior years, employers must retain documentation 
demonstrating compliance with the recruitment requirements described 
above, including placement of a new job order

[[Page 28215]]

with the SWA, contact with AJCs, contact with former U.S. workers, and 
compliance with Sec.  655.45(a) or (b). Employers must prepare and 
retain a recruitment report that describes these efforts and meets the 
requirements set forth in 20 CFR 655.48, including the requirement to 
update the recruitment report throughout the recruitment and hiring 
period set forth in paragraph (a)(5)(v) of new 20 CFR 655.64. Employers 
must maintain copies of the recruitment report, attestation, and 
supporting documentation, as described above, for a period of 3 years 
from the date that the TLC was approved, consistent with the document 
retention requirements under 20 CFR 655.56. These requirements are 
similar to those that apply to certain seafood employers who stagger 
the entry of H-2B workers under 20 CFR 655.15(f).
    DOL's WHD has the authority to investigate the employer's 
attestations, as the attestations are a required part of the H-2B 
petition process under this rule and the attestations rely on the 
employer's existing, approved TLC. Where a WHD investigation determines 
that there has been a willful misrepresentation of a material fact or a 
substantial failure to meet the required terms and conditions of the 
attestations, WHD may institute administrative proceedings to impose 
sanctions and remedies, including (but not limited to) assessment of 
civil money penalties; recovery of wages due; make-whole relief for any 
U.S. worker who has been improperly rejected for employment, laid off, 
or displaced; and/or debarment for 1 to 5 years. See 29 CFR 503.19, 
503.20. This regulatory authority is consistent with WHD's existing 
enforcement authority and is not limited by the expiration date of this 
rule. Therefore, in accordance with the documentation retention 
requirements at new 20 CFR 655.68, the petitioner must retain documents 
and records evidencing compliance with this rule, and must provide the 
documents and records upon request by DHS or DOL.
    DHS has the authority to verify any information submitted to 
establish H-2B eligibility at any time before or after the petition has 
been adjudicated by USCIS. See, e.g., INA sections 103 and 214 (8 
U.S.C. 1103, 1184); see also 8 CFR part 103 and 8 CFR 214.2(h). DHS' 
verification methods may include, but are not limited to, review of 
public records and information, contact via written correspondence or 
telephone, unannounced physical site inspections, and interviews. USCIS 
will use information obtained through verification to determine H-2B 
eligibility and assess compliance with the requirements of the H-2B 
program. Subject to the exceptions described in 8 CFR 103.2(b)(16), 
USCIS will provide petitioners with an opportunity to address any 
adverse information that may result from a USCIS compliance review, 
verification, or site visit after a formal decision is made on a 
petition or after the agency has initiated an adverse action that may 
result in revocation or termination of an approval.
    As previously noted, the Departments have agreed to select a 
significant number of approved petitions for audit examination to 
verify compliance with the irreparable harm standard and additional 
employer conducted recruitment implemented through this rule. DOL's 
OFLC already has the authority under 20 CFR 655.70 to conduct audit 
examinations on adjudicated Applications for Temporary Employment 
Certification, including all appropriate appendices, and verify any 
information supporting the employer's attestations. OFLC uses audits of 
adjudicated Applications for Temporary Employment Certification, as 
authorized by 20 CFR 655.70, to ensure employer compliance with 
attestations made in its Application for Temporary Employment 
Certification and to ensure the employer has met all statutory and 
regulatory criteria and satisfied all program requirements. The OFLC 
certifying officer (CO) has sole discretion to choose which 
Applications for Temporary Employment Certification will be audited. 
See 20 CFR 655.70(a). Post adjudication audits can be used to establish 
a record of employer compliance or non-compliance with program 
requirements and the information gathered during the audit assists DOL 
in determining whether it needs to further investigate or debar an 
employer or its agent or attorney from future labor certifications.
    Under this rule, an employer may submit a petition to USCIS, 
including a valid TLC and Form ETA-9142B-CAA-4, in which the employer 
attests to compliance with requirements for access to the supplemental 
H-2B visas allocated through 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x), including that its 
business is likely to suffer irreparable harm and that it will conduct 
additional recruitment, if necessary to refresh the TLC's labor market 
test. DHS and DOL consider Form ETA-9142B-CAA-4 to be an appendix to 
the Application for Temporary Employment Certification and the 
attestations contained on the Form ETA-9142B-CAA-4 and documentation 
supporting the attestations to be evidence that is incorporated into 
and a part of the approved TLC. Therefore, DOL's audit authority 
includes the authority to audit the veracity of any attestations made 
on Form ETA-9142B-CAA-4 and documentation supporting the attestations. 
However, DOL's audit authority is independently authorized, and is not 
limited by the expiration date of this rule. In order to make certain 
that the supplemental visa allocation is not subject to fraud or abuse, 
DHS will share information regarding Forms ETA-9142B-CAA-4 with DOL, 
consistent with existing authorities. This information sharing will 
support DOL's identification of TLCs used to access the supplemental 
visa allocation for closer examination of TLCs through the audit 
process.
    In accordance with the documentation retention requirements in this 
rule, the petitioner must retain documents and records proving 
compliance with this rule, and must provide the documents and records 
upon request by DHS or DOL. Under this rule, DOL will audit a 
significant number of TLCs used to access the supplemental visa 
allocation to ensure employer compliance with attestations, including 
those regarding the irreparable harm standard and additional employer 
conducted recruitment, required under this rule. In the event of an 
audit, the OFLC CO will send a letter to the employer and, if 
appropriate, a copy of the letter to the employer's attorney or agent, 
listing the documentation the employer must submit and the date by 
which the documentation must be sent to the CO. During audits under 
this rule, the CO will request documentation necessary to demonstrate 
the employer conducted all e recruitment steps required under this rule 
and truthfully attested to the irreparable harm the employer would 
suffer if it does not receive all requested workers under the cap 
increase, including documentation the employer is required to retain 
under this rule. If necessary to complete the audit, the CO may request 
supplemental information and/or documentation from the employer during 
the course of the audit process. 20 CFR 655.70(c).
    Failure to comply in the audit process may result in the revocation 
of the employer's certification or in debarment, under 20 CFR 655.72 
and 655.73, respectively, or require the employer to undergo assisted 
recruitment in future filings of an Application for Temporary 
Employment Certification, under 20 CFR 655.71. Where an audit 
examination or review of information from DHS or other appropriate 
agencies determines that there has been fraud or willful 
misrepresentation of a material fact or a

[[Page 28216]]

substantial failure to meet the required terms and conditions of the 
attestations or failure to comply with the audit examination process, 
OFLC may institute appropriate administrative proceedings to impose 
sanctions on the employer. Those sanctions may result in revocation of 
an approved TLC, the requirement that the employer undergo assisted 
recruitment in future filings of an Application for Temporary 
Employment Certification for a period of up to 2 years, and/or 
debarment from the H-2B program and any other foreign labor 
certification program administered by DOL for 1 to 5 years. See 29 CFR 
655.71, 655.72, 655.73. Additionally, OFLC has the authority to provide 
any finding made or documents received during the course of conducting 
an audit examination to DHS, WHD, IER, or other enforcement agencies. 
OFLC's existing audit authority is independently authorized, and is not 
limited by the expiration date of this rule. Therefore, in accordance 
with the documentation retention requirements at new 20 CFR 655.68, the 
petitioner must retain documents and records proving compliance with 
this rule, and must provide the documents and records upon request by 
DHS or DOL.
    Petitioners must also comply with any other applicable laws, such 
as avoiding unlawful discrimination against U.S. workers based on their 
citizenship status or national origin. Specifically, the failure to 
recruit and hire qualified and available U.S. workers on account of 
such individuals' national origin or citizenship status may violate INA 
section 274B, 8 U.S.C. 1324b.

IV. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

A. Administrative Procedure Act

    This rule is issued without prior notice and opportunity to comment 
and with an immediate effective date pursuant to the Administrative 
Procedure Act (APA). 5 U.S.C. 553(b) and (d).
1. Good Cause To Forgo Notice and Comment Rulemaking
    The APA, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), authorizes an agency to issue a rule 
without prior notice and opportunity to comment when the agency, for 
good cause, finds that those procedures are ``impracticable, 
unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' Among other things, 
the good cause exception for forgoing notice and comment rulemaking 
``excuses notice and comment in emergency situations, or where delay 
could result in serious harm.'' Jifry v. FAA, 370 F.3d 1174, 1179 (D.C. 
Cir. 2004). Although the good-cause exception is ``narrowly construed 
and only reluctantly countenanced,'' Tenn. Gas Pipeline Co. v. FERC, 
969 F.2d 1141, 1144 (D.C. Cir. 1992), the Departments have 
appropriately invoked the exception in this case, for the reasons set 
forth below.
    With respect to the supplemental allocations provisions in 8 CFR 
214.2 and 20 CFR part 655, subpart A, the Departments are bypassing 
advance notice and comment because of the exigency created by section 
105 of Div. O of the FY 2021 Omnibus, which went into effect on 
December 27, 2020, and expires on September 30, 2021, as well as 
rapidly evolving economic conditions and labor demand, as described 
above. USCIS received more than enough petitions to meet the H-2B visa 
statutory cap for the second half of FY 2021 on February 12, 2021, 
which is 6 days earlier than when the statutory cap for the second half 
of FY 2020 was reached. USCIS conducted a lottery on February 17, 2021, 
to randomly select a sufficient number of petitions to meet the 
remainder of the statutory cap. USCIS rejected and returned the 
petitions and associated filing fees to petitioners that were not 
selected, as well as all cap-subject petitions received after February 
12, 2021. Given high demand by American businesses for H-2B workers, 
rapidly evolving economic conditions and labor demand, and the short 
time remaining in the fiscal year for U.S. employers to avoid the 
economic harm described above, a decision to undertake notice and 
comment rulemaking would likely delay final action on this matter by 
weeks or months, and would, therefore, greatly complicate and indeed 
likely preclude the Departments from successfully exercising the 
authority created by section 105.
    The temporary portability and change of employer provisions in 8 
CFR 214.2 and 274a.12 are further supported by conditions created by 
the COVID-19 pandemic. On January 31, 2020, the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services declared a public health emergency under section 319 of 
the Public Health Service Act in response to COVID-19 retroactive to 
January 27, 2020.\92\ This determination that a public health emergency 
exists due to COVID-19 has subsequently been renewed five times: On 
April 21, 2020, on July 23, 2020, on October 2, 2020, January 7, 2021, 
and most recently on April 15, 2021 effective on April 21, 2021.\93\ On 
March 13, 2020, then-President Trump declared a National Emergency 
concerning the COVID-19 outbreak, retroactive to March 1, 2020, to 
control the spread of the virus in the United States.\94\ In response 
to the Mexican government's call to increase social distancing in that 
country, DOS announced the temporary suspension of routine immigrant 
and nonimmigrant visa services processed at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico 
City and all U.S. consulates in Mexico beginning on March 18, 2020.\95\ 
DOS expanded the temporary suspension of routine immigrant and 
nonimmigrant visa services at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates on 
March 20, 2020.\96\ On July 22, 2020, DOS indicated that embassies and 
consulates should continue to provide emergency and mission critical 
visa services to the extent possible and could begin a phased 
resumption of routine visa services as local conditions and resources 
allow.\97\ On March 26, 2020 DOS designated the H-2 programs as 
essential to the economy and food security of the United States and a 
national security priority; DOS indicated that U.S. Embassies and 
Consulates will continue to process H-2 cases to the extent possible 
and implemented a change in its procedures, to include interview 
waivers.\98\ On January 25, 2021, President Biden issued a Proclamation 
on the Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Non-Immigrants of Certain 
Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus 
Disease.\99\ The proclamation restricted entry into the United States 
from European Schengen treaty countries, the United Kingdom (including 
territories outside of Europe), Ireland, Brazil, and South

[[Page 28217]]

Africa--countries where COVID-19 variants originated or were identified 
as present.\100\ On January 28, 2021, DOS reaffirmed the importance of 
the H-2 programs by making a national interest designation for certain 
H-2 travelers from South Africa.\101\ On April 19, 2021, Customs and 
Border Protection announced an extension of certain land border 
restrictions between U.S. and Canada, and U.S. and Mexico to May 21, 
2021.\102\
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    \92\ HHS, Determination that a Public Health Emergency Exists, 
https://www.phe.gov/emergency/news/healthactions/phe/Pages/2019-nCoV.aspx (last visited Apr. 20, 2021). See also HHS, Determination 
of Public Health Emergency, 85 FR 7316 (Feb. 7, 2020).
    \93\ See HHS Renewal of Determination That A Public Health 
Emergency Exists, https://www.phe.gov/emergency/news/healthactions/phe/Pages/COVID-15April2021.aspx. (Apr. 15, 2021).
    \94\ President of the United States, Proclamation 9994 of March 
13, 2020, Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Coronavirus 
Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak, 85 FR 15337 (Mar. 18, 2020).
    \95\ DOS, Suspension of Routine Visa Services, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/suspension-of-routine-visa-services.html (last updated Mar. 20, 2020).
    \97\ https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/suspension-of-routine-visa-services.html
    \98\ https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/important-announcement-on-h2-visas.html (Last visited on Apr. 21, 
2021).
    \99\ Proclamation 10143 of January 25, 2021, 86 FR 7467 (Jan. 
28, 2021). https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/25/proclamation-on-the-suspension-of-entry-as-immigrants-and-non-immigrants-of-certain-additional-persons-who-pose-a-risk-of-transmitting-coronavirus-disease/.
    \100\ Id.
    \101\ https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/national-interest-exception-for-certain-h-2-travelers-from-south-africa.html (Jan. 28, 2021).
    \102\ See Temporary Restriction of Travelers Crossing US-Canada 
and Mexico Land Borders for Non-Essential Purposes, https://
help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-
1596?language=en_US#:~:text=On%20March%2021%2C%202020%2C%20the,EDT%20
on%20April%2021%2C%202021 (last visited on April 20, 2021).
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    In addition to travel restrictions and impacts of the pandemic on 
visa services, as discussed elsewhere in this rule, current efforts to 
curb the pandemic in the United States and worldwide have been 
partially successful, however, with the emergence of COVID-19 variants; 
different rates of vaccination in some countries and regions; and other 
uncertainties associated with the evolving pandemic situation, DHS 
anticipates that H-2B employers may need additional flexibilities, 
beyond supplemental visa numbers, to meet all of their labor needs, 
particularly if some U.S. and H-2B workers become unavailable due to 
illness or other restrictions related to the spread of COVID-19. 
Therefore, DHS is acting expeditiously to put in place rules that will 
facilitate the continued employment of H-2B workers already present in 
the United States. This action will help employers fill these 
critically necessary nonagricultural job openings and protect U.S. 
businesses' economic investments in their operations.
    Courts have found ``good cause'' under the APA when an agency is 
moving expeditiously to avoid significant economic harm to a program, 
program users, or an industry. Courts have held that an agency may use 
the good cause exception to address ``a serious threat to the financial 
stability of [a government] benefit program,'' Nat'l Fed'n of Fed. 
Emps. v. Devine, 671 F.2d 607, 611 (D.C. Cir. 1982), or to avoid 
``economic harm and disruption'' to a given industry, which would 
likely result in higher consumer prices, Am. Fed'n of Gov't Emps. v. 
Block, 655 F.2d 1153, 1156 (D.C. Cir. 1981).
    Consistent with the above authorities, the Departments are 
bypassing notice and comment to prevent ``serious economic harm to the 
H-2B community,'' including U.S. employers, associated U.S. workers, 
and related professional associations, that could result from ongoing 
uncertainty over the status of the numerical limitation, in other 
words, the effective termination of the program through the remainder 
of FY 2021. See Bayou Lawn & Landscape Servs. v. Johnson, 173 F. Supp. 
3d 1271, 1285 & n.12 (N.D. Fla. 2016). The Departments note that this 
action is temporary in nature, see id.,\103\ and includes appropriate 
conditions to ensure that it affects only those businesses most in 
need, and also protects H-2B and U.S. workers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \103\ Because the Departments have issued this rule as a 
temporary final rule, this rule--with the sole exception of the 
document retention requirements--will be of no effect after 
September 30, 2021, even if Congress includes an authority similar 
to section 105 in a subsequent act of Congress.
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2. Good Cause To Proceed With an Immediate Effective Date
    The APA also authorizes agencies to make a rule effective 
immediately, upon a showing of good cause, instead of imposing a 30-day 
delay. 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). The good cause exception to the 30-day 
effective date requirement is easier to meet than the good cause 
exception for foregoing notice and comment rulemaking. Riverbend Farms, 
Inc. v. Madigan, 958 F.2d 1479, 1485 (9th Cir. 1992); Am. Fed'n of 
Gov't Emps., AFL-CIO v. Block, 655 F.2d 1153, 1156 (D.C. Cir. 1981); 
U.S. Steel Corp. v. EPA, 605 F.2d 283, 289-90 (7th Cir. 1979). An 
agency can show good cause for eliminating the 30-day delayed effective 
date when it demonstrates urgent conditions the rule seeks to correct 
or unavoidable time limitations. U.S. Steel Corp., 605 F.2d at 290; 
United States v. Gavrilovic, 511 F.2d 1099, 1104 (8th Cir. 1977). For 
the same reasons set forth above expressing the need for immediate 
action, we also conclude that the Departments have good cause to 
dispense with the 30-day effective date requirement.

B. Executive Orders 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and 13563 
(Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review)

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to proceed (to the extent permitted by law) 
only if the benefits justify the costs and to select (again to the 
extent permitted by law) the regulatory approach that maximizes net 
benefits. Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of 
quantifying both costs and benefits; reducing costs; simplifying and 
harmonizing rules; and promoting flexibility through approaches that 
preserve freedom of choice (including through ``provision of 
information in a form that is clear and intelligible''). It also allows 
consideration of equity, fairness, distributive impacts, and human 
dignity, even if some or all of these are difficult or impossible to 
quantify.
    This rule is a ``significant regulatory action,'' although not an 
economically significant regulatory action since it does not meet the 
threshold of $100 million in annual economic effects, under section 
3(f)(1) of Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, the Office of Management 
and Budget has reviewed this regulation.
Summary
    With this temporary final rule (TFR), DHS is authorizing the 
immediate release of an additional 22,000 H-2B visas. By the authority 
given under the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public 
Law 116-260 (FY 2021 Omnibus), DHS is raising the H-2B cap by an 
additional 22,000 visas for the remainder of FY 2021 to businesses 
that: (1) Show that there are an insufficient number of U.S. workers to 
meet their needs in FY 2021; (2) attest that their businesses are 
likely to suffer irreparable harm without the ability to employ the H-
2B workers that are the subject of their petition, among other 
commitments; and (3) petition for returning workers who were issued an 
H-2B visa or were otherwise granted H-2B status in FY 2018, 2019, or 
2020, unless the H-2B worker is a national of Guatemala, Honduras, and 
El Salvador (the Northern Triangle countries). Additionally, up to 
6,000 of the 22,000 visas may be granted to workers from the Northern 
Triangle countries who are exempt from the returning worker 
requirement. This TFR aims to prevent irreparable harm to certain U.S. 
businesses by allowing them to hire additional H-2B workers within FY 
2021.
    The estimated total costs to petitioners ranges from $10,192,963 to 
$26,063,006. The estimated total cost to the Federal Government is 
$467,820. DHS estimates that the total cost of this rule ranges from 
$10,660,783 to $26,530,826. The benefits of this rule are diverse, 
though some of them are difficult to quantify. They include:
    (1) Employers benefit from this rule significantly through 
increased access to H-2B workers;

[[Page 28218]]

    (2) Customers and others benefit directly or indirectly from that 
increased access;
    (3) H-2B workers benefit from this rule significantly through 
obtaining jobs and earning wages, potential ability to port and earn 
additional wages, and increased information on COVID-19 and vaccination 
distribution. DHS recognizes that some of the effects of these 
provisions may occur beyond the borders of the United States; \104\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \104\ See, e.g., Arnold Brodbeck et al., Seasonal Migrant Labor 
in the Forest Industry of the Southeastern United States: The Impact 
of H-2B Employment on Guatemalan Livelihoods, 31 Society and Natural 
Resources 1012 (2018).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Some American workers may benefit to the extent that they do 
not lose jobs through the reduced or closed business activity that 
might occur if fewer H-2B workers were available;
    (5) The existence of a lawful pathway, for the 6,000 visas set 
aside for new workers from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, is 
likely to provide multiple benefits in terms of U.S. policy with 
respect to the Northern Triangle; and
    (6) The Federal Government benefits from increased evidence 
regarding attestations. Table 1 provides a summary of the provisions in 
this rule and some of their impacts.

                          Table 1--Summary of the TFR's Provisions and Economic Impact
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Changes resulting from                             Expected benefits of
          Current provision             the provisions of the    Expected costs of the    the  provisions of the
                                                 TFR             provisions of the TFR             TFR
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--The current statutory cap limits H-  --The amended            --The total estimated    --Form I-129
 2B visa allocations to 66,000          provisions will allow    cost to file Form I-     petitioners would be
 workers a year.                        for an additional        129 by human resource    able to hire temporary
                                        22,000 H-2B temporary    specialists is           workers needed to
                                        workers. Up to 6,000     approximately            prevent their
                                        of the 22,000            $1,344,810. The total    businesses from
                                        additional visas will    estimated cost to file   suffering irreparable
                                        be reserved for          Form I-129 and Form G-   harm.
                                        workers who are          28 will range from      --Businesses that are
                                        nationals of             approximately            dependent on the
                                        Guatemala, Honduras,     $1,545,882 if filed by   success of other
                                        and El Salvador and      in-house lawyers to      businesses that are
                                        will be exempt from      approximately            dependent on H-2B
                                        the returning worker     $2,148,647 if filed by   workers would be
                                        requirement.             outsourced lawyers.      protected from the
                                                                 The total estimated      repercussions of local
                                                                 cost associated with     business failures.
                                                                 filing additional       --Some American workers
                                                                 petitions ranges from    may benefit to the
                                                                 $2,890,692 to            extent that they do
                                                                 $3,493,457 depending     not lose jobs through
                                                                 on the filer.            the reduced or closed
                                                                                          business activity that
                                                                                          might occur if fewer H-
                                                                                          2B workers were
                                                                                          available.
                                                                --The total estimated
                                                                 costs associated with
                                                                 filing Form I-907 if
                                                                 it is filed with Form
                                                                 I-129 is $2,863,603 if
                                                                 filed by human
                                                                 resource specialists.
                                                                 The total estimated
                                                                 costs associated with
                                                                 filing Form I-907
                                                                 would range from
                                                                 approximately
                                                                 $2,259,184 if filed by
                                                                 an in-house lawyer to
                                                                 approximately
                                                                 $2,322,317 if filed by
                                                                 an outsourced lawyer.
                                                                 The total estimated
                                                                 costs associated with
                                                                 requesting premium
                                                                 processing ranges from
                                                                 approximately
                                                                 $5,122,787 to
                                                                 approximately
                                                                 $5,185,920.
                                                                --DHS may incur
                                                                 additional
                                                                 adjudication costs as
                                                                 more applicants file
                                                                 Form I-129. However,
                                                                 these additional costs
                                                                 to USCIS are expected
                                                                 to be covered by the
                                                                 fees paid for filing
                                                                 the form, which have
                                                                 been accounted for in
                                                                 costs to petitioners.
                                       --Petitioners will be    --The total estimated    --Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4
                                        required to fill out     cost to petitioners to   will serve as initial
                                        the newly created Form   complete and file Form   evidence to DHS that
                                        ETA-9142-B-CAA-4,        ETA-9142-B-CAA-4 is      the petitioner meets
                                        Attestation for          approximately            the irreparable harm
                                        Employers Seeking to     $1,370,719.              standard and returning
                                        Employ H-2B                                       worker requirements.
                                        Nonimmigrant Workers
                                        Under Section 105 of
                                        Div. O of the
                                        Consolidated
                                        Appropriations Act,
                                        2021.
                                       --Petitioners would be   --The total estimated    --The additional round
                                        required to conduct an   cost to petitioners to   of recruitment will
                                        additional round of      conduct an additional    ensure that a U.S.
                                        recruitment.             round of recruitment     worker that is willing
                                                                 is approximately         and able to fill the
                                                                 $516,622.                position is not
                                                                                          replaced by a
                                                                                          nonimmigrant worker.

[[Page 28219]]

 
                                       --Employers of H-2B      --The total estimated    --Workers would be
                                        workers would be         cost to petitioners to   given information
                                        required to provide      provide COVID-19         about equal access to
                                        information about        vaccines and             vaccines and
                                        equal access to COVID-   vaccination              vaccination
                                        19 vaccines and          distribution site        distribution.
                                        vaccination              information is
                                        distribution sites.      approximately $1,743.
                                       --An H-2B nonimmigrant   --The total estimated    --H-2B workers with a
                                        with a valid visa who    cost to file Form I-     valid visa present in
                                        is physically present    129 if filed by human    the United States will
                                        in the United States     resource specialists     be able to port to
                                        may port to another      will range from $0 to    another employer and
                                        employer.                approximately            potentially extend
                                                                 $2,081,206. The total    their stay and,
                                                                 estimated costs to       therefore, earn
                                                                 file Form I-129 and      additional wages.
                                                                 Form G-28 ranges from   --An H-2B worker with
                                                                 $0 to approximately      an employer that is
                                                                 $2,393,077 if filed by   not complying with H-
                                                                 in-house lawyers and     2B program
                                                                 from $0 to               requirements would
                                                                 approximately            have additional
                                                                 $5,095,792 if filed by   flexibility in porting
                                                                 outsourced lawyers.      to another employer's
                                                                                          certified position.
                                                                                         --This provision would
                                                                                          ensure employers will
                                                                                          be able to hire the H-
                                                                                          2B workers they need.
                                                                --The total estimated
                                                                 cost associated with
                                                                 filing Form I-907 if
                                                                 filed by human
                                                                 resource specialists
                                                                 ranges from $0 to
                                                                 approximately
                                                                 $4,431,409. The total
                                                                 estimated cost to file
                                                                 Form I-907 ranges from
                                                                 $0 to approximately
                                                                 $3,497,990 if filed by
                                                                 in-house lawyers and
                                                                 from $0 to
                                                                 approximately
                                                                 $3,595,738 if filed by
                                                                 outsourced lawyers.
                                                                 The total estimated
                                                                 costs associated with
                                                                 this provision ranges
                                                                 from $0 to
                                                                 approximately
                                                                 $15,204,145.
                                                                --DHS may incur some
                                                                 additional
                                                                 adjudication costs as
                                                                 more petitioners file
                                                                 Form I-129. However,
                                                                 these additional costs
                                                                 to USCIS are expected
                                                                 to be covered by the
                                                                 fees paid for filing
                                                                 the form, which have
                                                                 been accounted for in
                                                                 costs to petitioners.
                                       --DHS and DOL intend to  --Employers will have    --DOL and DHS audits
                                        conduct a significant    to comply with audits    will yield evidence of
                                        number of random         for an estimated total   the efficacy of
                                        audits during the        opportunity cost of      attestations in
                                        period of temporary      time of $290,400.        enforcing compliance
                                        need to verify          --It is expected both     with H-2B supplemental
                                        compliance with H-2B     DHS and DOL will be      cap requirements.
                                        program requirements,    able to shift           --Conducting a
                                        including the            resources to be able     significant number of
                                        irreparable harm         to conduct these         audits will discourage
                                        standard as well as      audits without           uncorroborated
                                        other key worker         incurring additional     attestations.
                                        protection provisions    costs. However, the
                                        implemented through      Departments will incur
                                        this rule.               opportunity costs of
                                                                 time. The audits are
                                                                 expected to take a
                                                                 total of approximately
                                                                 6,000 hours and cost
                                                                 approximately $467,820.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: USCIS and DOL analysis.

Background and Purpose of the Proposed Rule
    The H-2B visa classification program was designed to serve U.S. 
businesses that are unable to find a sufficient number of U.S. workers 
to perform nonagricultural work of a temporary or seasonal nature. For 
a nonimmigrant worker to be admitted into the United States under this 
visa classification, the hiring employer is required to: (1) Receive a 
temporary labor certification (TLC) from the Department of Labor (DOL); 
and (2) file Form I-129 with DHS. The temporary nature of the services 
or labor described on the approved TLC is subject to DHS review during 
adjudication of Form I-129.\105\ The current INA statute sets the 
annual number of H-2B visas for workers performing temporary 
nonagricultural work at 66,000 to be distributed semi-annually 
beginning in October (33,000) and in April (33,000).\106\ Any unused H-
2B visas from the first half of the fiscal year will be available for 
employers seeking to hire H-2B workers during the second half of the 
fiscal year. However, any unused H-2B visas from one fiscal year do not 
carry over into the next and will therefore not be made

[[Page 28220]]

available.\107\ Once the statutory H-2B visa cap limit has been 
reached, petitioners must wait until the next half of the fiscal year, 
or the beginning of the next fiscal year, for additional visas to 
become available.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \105\ Revised effective 1/18/2009; 73 FR 78104.
    \106\ See 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1)(B), INA 214(g)(1)(B) and 8 U.S.C. 
1184(g)(4), INA 214(g)(4).
    \107\ A Temporary Labor Certification (TLC) approved by the 
Department of Labor must accompany an H-2B petition. The employment 
start date stated on the petition must match the start date listed 
on the TLC. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iv)(A) and (D).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On Dec 27, 2020, the President signed the FY 2021 Omnibus that 
contains a provision (Sec. 105 of Div. O) permitting the Secretary of 
Homeland Security, under certain circumstances, to increase the number 
of H-2B visas available to U.S. employers, notwithstanding the 
established statutory numerical limitation. After consulting with the 
Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of the Homeland Security has 
determined it is appropriate to exercise his discretion and raise the 
H-2B cap by up to an additional 22,000 visas for the remainder of FY 
2021 for those businesses who would qualify under certain 
circumstances.
    These businesses must attest that they will likely suffer 
irreparable harm if the requested H-2B visas are not granted. The 
Secretary has determined that initially up to 16,000 of the 22,000 
these supplemental visas will be limited to specified H-2B returning 
workers for nationals of any country. Specifically, these individuals 
must be workers who were issued H-2B visas or were otherwise granted H-
2B status in fiscal years 2018, 2019, or 2020. The Secretary has also 
determined that up to 6,000 of the 22,000 additional visas will be 
reserved for workers who are nationals of Guatemala, Honduras, and El 
Salvador, and that these 6,000 workers will be exempt from the 
returning worker requirement. Once the 6,000-visa limit has been 
reached, a petitioner may continue to request H-2B visas for workers 
who are nationals of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, but these 
workers must be returning workers. If the 6,000 exemption cap for 
nationals of the Northern Triangle countries remains unfilled by July 
8, 2021, USCIS will announce that the remaining visas will be made 
available to employers with TLCs that comply with the provisions of 
this rule but the petitioner must file a new Form I-129 petition and 
attest that these noncitizens will be returning workers.
Population
    This rule would affect those employers that file Form I-129 on 
behalf of nonimmigrant workers they seek to hire under the H-2B visa 
program. More specifically, this rule would affect those employers that 
can establish that their business is likely to suffer irreparable harm 
because they cannot employ the H-2B returning workers requested on 
their petition in this fiscal year, without the exercise of authority 
that is the subject of this rule. Due to the temporary nature of this 
rule and the limited time left for these additional visas to become 
available, DHS believes that it is reasonable to assume that eligible 
petitioners for these additional 22,000 visas will generally be those 
employers that have already completed the steps to receive an approved 
TLC prior to the issuance of this rule.
    This rule would also have additional impacts on the population of 
H-2B employers and workers presently in the United States by permitting 
some H-2B workers to port to another certified employer. These H-2B 
workers would continue to earn wages and gaining employers would 
continue to obtain necessary workers.
Population That Will File a Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant 
Worker
    According to DOL OFLC's certification data for FY 2021, as of April 
15, 2021, about 6,172 TLCs for 107,654 H-2B positions were received 
with expected work start dates between April 1 and September 30, 2021. 
DOL OFLC has approved 5,507 certifications for 97,627 H-2B positions 
and is still reviewing the remaining 155 TLC requests for 2,227 H-2B 
positions. DOL OFLC has denied, withdrawn, rejected, or returned 510 
certifications for 7,800 H-2B positions.\108\ However, many of these 
certified worker positions have already been filled under the semi-
annual cap of 33,000 and, for approximately 10 percent of the worker 
positions certified and still under review by DOL, employers indicated 
on the Form ETA-9142B their intention to employ some or all of the H-2B 
workers under the application who will be exempt from the statutory 
visa cap. The number of approved and pending certifications is 5,662 
for 99,854 H-2B positions.\109\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \108\ As of April 15, 2021, DOL OFLC had denied 163 applications 
for 2,161 positions and rejected 28 applications for 360 positions. 
Employers had withdrawn 312 applications for 5,161 positions and 
returned 7 applications for 118 positions. This totals 510 
applications for 7,800 positions either denied, rejected, withdrawn, 
or returned.
    \109\ Calculation: 5,507 approved certifications + 155 pending 
certifications = 5,662 approved and pending certifications.
    Calculation: 97,627 positions associated with approved 
certification + 2,227 positions associated with pending 
certifications = 99,854 positions associated with approved and 
pending certifications.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Of the 5,507 certified Applications for Temporary Employment 
Certification DOL issued, USCIS data shows that 2,104 H-2B petitions 
for 36,792 positions with approved certifications were already filed 
toward the second semi-annual cap of 33,000 visas.\110\ Therefore, we 
estimate that approximately 3,558 Applications for Temporary Employment 
Certification may be filed towards the FY 2021 supplemental cap. This 
number is based on 5,507 (total certified) - 2,104 (certified and 
already submitted under the second semi-annual cap) and 155 
(Applications for Temporary Employment Certification that are still 
being processed by DOL), and therefore represents a reasonable estimate 
of the pool of potential petitions that may request additional H-2B 
workers under this rule, in other words, under the FY 2021 supplemental 
cap. USCIS recognizes that some employers would have to submit two 
Forms I-129 if they choose to request H-2B workers under both the 
returning worker and Northern Triangle Countries cap. At this time, 
USCIS cannot predict how many employers will choose to take advantage 
of this set-aside, and therefore recognize that the number of petitions 
may be underestimated. Additionally, due to the timing of the 
availability of these additional 22,000 visas, USCIS assumes there will 
not be additional TLCs filed with the DOL.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \110\ USCIS, Office of Performance and Quality, Data pulled on 
April 21, 2021.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Population That Files Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as 
Attorney or Accredited Representative
    If an attorney or accredited representative submits Form I-129 on 
behalf of the petitioner, Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as 
Attorney or Accredited Representative, must accompany the Form I-129 
submission.\111\ Using data from FY 2016 to FY 2020, we estimate that 
approximately 43.59 percent of Form I-129 petitions will be filed by a 
lawyer or accredited representative (Table 2). Table 2 shows the 
percentage of Form I-129 H-2B petitions that were accompanied by a Form 
G-28. We estimate that 1,551 Form I-129 and Form G-28 will be filed by 
in-house or outsourced lawyers, and that 2,007 Form I-129 will be filed 
by human resources (HR) specialists.\112\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \111\ USCIS, Filing Your Form G-28, https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-your-form-g-28.
    \112\ Calculation: 3,558 estimated additional petitions * 43.59 
percent of petitions filed by a lawyer = 1551 petitions (rounded) 
filed by a lawyer.
    Calculation: 3,558 estimated additional petitions - 1,551 
petitions filed by a lawyer = 2,007 petitions filed by an HR 
specialist.

[[Page 28221]]



          Table 2--Form I-129 H-2B Petition Receipts That Were Accompanied by a Form G-28, FY 2016-2020
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Number of Form
                                                                    I-129 H-2B     Total Number     Percent of
                                                                     petitions     of Form I-129   Form I-129 H-
                           Fiscal year                              accompanied   H-2B petitions   2B petitions
                                                                   by a Form  G-     received     accompanied by
                                                                        28                         a Form  G-28
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016............................................................           2,795           6,527           42.82
2017............................................................           2,615           6,112           42.78
2018............................................................           2,626           6,148           42.71
2019............................................................           3,335           7,461           44.70
2020............................................................           2,434           5,422           44.89
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    2016-2020 Total.............................................          13,805          31,670           43.59
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: USCIS Claims3 database, queried using the SMART utility by the USCIS Office of Policy and Strategy on
  April 8, 2021.

Population That Files Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing 
Service
    Employers may use Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing 
Service, to request faster processing of their Form I-129 petitions for 
H-2B visas. Table 3 shows the percentage of Form I-129 H-2B petitions 
that were filed with a Form I-907. USCIS estimates that approximately 
93.37 percent of Form I-129 H-2B petitioners will also file a Form I-
907 requesting premium processing, though this could be higher because 
of the timing of this rule. Based on this historical data, USCIS 
estimates that 3,322 Forms I-907 will be filed with the Forms I-129 as 
a result of this rule.\113\ We estimate that 1,448 Forms I-907 will be 
filed by in-house or outsourced lawyers and 1,874 will be filed by HR 
specialists.\114\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \113\ Calculation: 3,558 estimated additional petitions * 93.37 
percent premium processing filing rate = 3,322 (rounded) additional 
Form I-907.
    \114\ Calculation: 3,322 additional Form I-907 * 43.59 percent 
of petitioners represented by a lawyer = 1,448 (rounded) additional 
Form I-907 filed by a lawyer.
    Calculation: 3,322 additional Form I-907 - 1448 additional Form 
I-907 filed by a lawyer = 1,874 additional Form I-907 filed by an HR 
specialist.

         Table 3--Form I-129 H-2B Petition Receipts That Were Accompanied by a Form I-907, FY 2016-2020
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Number of Form                    Percent of
                                                                    I-129 H-2B     Total Number    Form I-129 H-
                           Fiscal year                               petitions     of Form I-129   2B petitions
                                                                  accompanied by  H-2B petitions  accompanied by
                                                                    Form I-907       received       Form I-907
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016............................................................           6,084           6,527           93.21
2017............................................................           5,932           6,112           97.05
2018............................................................           5,986           6,148           97.36
2019............................................................           7,227           7,461           96.86
2020............................................................           4,341           5,422           80.06
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    2016-2020 Total.............................................          29,570          31,670           93.37
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: USCIS Claims3 database, queried using the SMART utility by the USCIS Office of Policy and Strategy on
  April 8, 2021.

Population That Files Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4, Attestation for Employers 
Seeking To Employ H-2B Nonimmigrant Workers Under Section 105 of 
Division O of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Public Law 116-
260
    Petitioners seeking to take advantage of the FY 2021 H-2B 
supplemental visa cap will need to file a Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4 
attesting their business will suffer irreparable harm without the 
ability to hire temporary nonimmigrant workers, comply with third party 
notification, and maintain required records, among other requirements. 
DOL estimates that each of the 3,558 petitioners will need to file a 
Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4 and comply with its provisions.
Population Affected by the Portability Provision
    The population affected by this provision are nonimmigrants in H-2B 
status who are present in the United States and the employers with 
valid TLCs seeking to hire H-2B workers. We use the population of 
66,000 H-2B workers authorized by statute and 22,000 additional H-2B 
workers authorized by this supplemental cap regulation as a proxy for 
the H-2B population that could be currently present in the United 
States.\115\ We use the number of approved TLCs (5,507) to estimate the 
potential number of Form I-129 H-2B petitions that incur impacts 
associated with this porting provision. USCIS is not able to predict an 
estimate of what percentage of these approved

[[Page 28222]]

TLCs will file petitions for H-2B workers who would port under this 
provision. Therefore, USCIS presents a sensitivity analysis in Table 4 
based on the percentage of employers with approved TLCs that could file 
a Form I-129 H-2B petition in order to obtain an H-2B worker under the 
porting provision.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \115\ H-2B workers may have varying lengths in time approved on 
their H-2B visas. This number may overestimate H-2B workers who have 
already completed employment and departed and may underestimate H-2B 
workers not reflected in the current cap and long-term H-2B workers. 
In FY2020, 346 requests for change of status to H-2B were approved 
by USCIS and 3,505 crossings of visa-exempt H-2B workers were 
processed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). See 
Characteristics of H-2B Nonagricultural Temporary Workers FY2020 
Report to Congress at https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/reports/H-2B-FY20-Characteristics-Report.pdf. USCIS assumes 
some of these workers, along with current workers with a valid H-2B 
visa under the cap, could be eligible to port under this new 
provision. USCIS does not know the exact number of H-2B workers who 
would be eligible to port at this time but uses the cap and 
supplemental cap allocations as a possible proxy for this 
population.

   Table 4--Sensitivity Analysis of Form I-129 H-2B Petitions Filed on
           Behalf of H-2B Workers Who May Be Eligible to Port
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Estimated
                                                             number of
                                                           approved Form
                                                            I-129 H-2B
 Percent of Form I-129 H-2B petitions that may be filed   petitions that
          on behalf of workers eligible to port            may be filed
                                                           on behalf of
                                                              workers
                                                            eligible to
                                                               port
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.......................................................               0
5.......................................................             275
25......................................................           1,377
50......................................................           2,754
75......................................................           4,130
95......................................................           5,232
100.....................................................           5,507
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: USCIS Analysis.

Population Affected by the Audits
    DHS and DOL each intend to conduct 250 audits of employers hiring 
H-2B workers under this FY2021 H-2B supplemental cap rule. The 
determination of which employers are audited will be mostly random, 
though the agencies will coordinate so that no employer is audited by 
both DOL and DHS. Therefore, a total of 500 audits on employers who 
petition for H-2B workers under this TFR will be conducted by the 
Federal Government.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
    The provisions of this rule require the submission of a Form I-129 
H-2B petition. The costs for this form include filing costs and the 
opportunity cost of time to complete and submit the form. The current 
filing fee for Form I-129 is $460 and the estimated time to complete 
and file Form I-129 for H-2B classification is 4.34 hours.\116\ The 
application must be filed by a U.S. employer, a U.S. agent, or a 
foreign employer filing through the U.S. agent. DHS estimates that 
43.59 percent of Form I-129 H-2B petitions will be filed by an in-house 
or outsourced lawyer, and the remainder (56.41 percent) will be filed 
by an HR specialist or equivalent occupation. DHS presents estimated 
costs for HR specialists filing Form I-129 petitions and an estimated 
range of costs for in-house lawyers or outsourced lawyers filing Form 
I-129 petitions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \116\ The public reporting burden for this form is 2.34 hours 
for Form I-129 and an additional 2.00 hours for H Classification 
Supplement, totaling 4.34 hours. See Form I-129 instructions at 
https://www.uscis.gov/i-129.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To estimate the total opportunity cost of time to HR specialists 
who complete and file Form I-129, DHS uses the mean hourly wage rate of 
HR specialists of $33.38 as the base wage rate.\117\ If petitioners 
hire an in-house or outsourced lawyer to file Form I-129 on their 
behalf, DHS uses the mean hourly wage rate of $71.59 as the base wage 
rate.\118\ Using the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, 
DHS calculated a benefits-to-wage multiplier of 1.45 to estimate the 
full wages to include benefits such as paid leave, insurance, and 
retirement.\119\ DHS multiplied the average hourly U.S. wage rate for 
HR specialists and for in-house lawyers by the benefits-to-wage 
multiplier of 1.45 to estimate the full cost of employee wages. The 
total compensation for an HR specialist is $48.40 per hour, and the 
total compensation for an in-house lawyer is $103.81 per hour.\120\ In 
addition, DHS recognizes that an entity may not have in-house lawyers 
and seek outside counsel to complete and file Form I-129 on behalf of 
the petitioner. Therefore, DHS presents a second wage rate for lawyers 
labeled as outsourced lawyers. DHS recognizes that the wages for 
outsourced attorneys may be much higher than in-house attorneys and 
therefore uses a higher compensation-to-wage multiplier of 2.5 for 
outsourced attorneys.\121\ DHS estimates the total compensation for an 
outsourced lawyer is $178.98 per hour.\122\ If a lawyer submits Form I-
129 on behalf of the petitioner, Form G-28 must accompany the Form I-
129 petition.\123\ DHS estimates the time burden to complete and submit 
Form G-28 for a lawyer is 50 minutes (0.83 hour, rounded).\124\ For 
this analysis, DHS adds the time to complete Form G-28 to the 
opportunity cost of time to lawyers for filing Form I-129 on behalf of 
a petitioner. This results in a time burden of 5.17 hours for in-house 
lawyers and outsourced lawyers to complete Form G-28 and Form I-
129.\125\ Therefore, the total opportunity cost of time per petition 
for an HR specialist to complete and file Form I-129 is approximately 
$210.06, for an in-house lawyer to complete and file Forms I-129 and G-
28 is about $536.70, and for an outsourced lawyer to complete and file 
is approximately $925.33.\126\ The total cost, including filing fee and 
opportunity costs of time, per petitioner to file Form I-129 is 
approximately $670.06 if HR specialists file, $996.70 if an in-house 
lawyer files, and $1,385.33 if an outsourced lawyer files the 
form.\127\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \117\ U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 
``May 2020 National Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics'' 
Human Resources Specialist (13-1071), Mean Hourly Wage, available at 
https://www.bls.gov/oes/2020/may/oes_nat.htm#13-0000 (accessed April 
9, 2021).
    \118\ U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. 
``May 2020 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates'' 
Lawyers (23-1011), Mean Hourly Wage, available at https://www.bls.gov/oes/2020/may/oes_nat.htm#23-0000 (accessed April 9, 
2021).
    \119\ Calculation: $38.60 mean Total Employee Compensation per 
hour for civilian workers/$26.53 mean Wages and Salaries per hour 
for civilian workers = 1.45 benefits-to-wage multiplier. See 
Economic News Release, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department 
of Labor, Table 1. Employer Costs for Employee Compensation by 
ownership, Civilian workers, available at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf (accessed April 9, 2021).
    \120\ Calculation for the total wage of an HR specialist: $33.38 
x 1.45 = $48.40 (rounded).
    Calculation for the total wage of an in-house lawyer: $71.59 x 
1.45 = $103.81 (rounded).
    \121\ The DHS ICE ``Safe-Harbor Procedures for Employers Who 
Receive a No-Match Letter'' used a multiplier of 2.5 to convert in-
house attorney wages to the cost of outsourced attorney based on 
information received in public comment to that rule. We believe the 
explanation and methodology used in the Final Small Entity Impact 
Analysis remains sound for using 2.5 as a multiplier for outsourced 
labor wages in this rule, see page G-4 [September 1, 2015] [https://www.regulations.gov/document/ICEB-2006-0004-0921].
    \122\ Calculation: Average hourly wage rate of lawyers x 
benefits-to-wage multiplier for outsourced lawyer = $71.59 x 2.5 = 
$178.98.
    \123\ USCIS, Filing Your Form G-28, https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-your-form-g-28.
    \124\ Id.
    \125\ Calculation: 0.83 hours to file Form G-28 + 4.34 hours to 
file Form I-129 = 5.17 hours to file both forms.
    \126\ Calculation if an HR specialist files Form I-129: $48.40 x 
4.34 hours = $210.06 (rounded).
    Calculation if an in-house lawyer files Forms I-129 and G-28: 
$103.81 x 5.17 hours = $536.70 (rounded).
    Calculation if an outsourced lawyer files Forms I-129 and G-28: 
$178.98 x 5.17 hours = $925.33 (rounded).
    \127\ Calculation if an HR specialist files Form I-129 and 
filing fee: $210.06 opportunity cost of time + $460 filing fee = 
$670.06.
    Calculation if an in-house lawyer files Forms I-129, G-28, and 
filing fee: $536.70 opportunity cost of time + $460 filing fee = 
$996.70.
    Calculation if outsourced lawyer files Forms I-129, G-28 and 
filing fee: $925.33 opportunity cost of time + $460 filing fee = 
$1,385.33.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cost to Petitioners
    As mentioned in Section 3, the estimated population impacted by 
this rule is 3,558 eligible petitioners who are projected to apply for 
the additional 22,000 H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2021, with 
6,000 of the additional visas reserved for employers that will petition 
for workers who are nationals

[[Page 28223]]

of the Northern Triangle countries who are exempt from the returning 
worker requirement.
Costs to Petitioners To File Form I-129 and Form G-28
    As discussed above, DHS estimates that an additional 2,007 
petitions will be filed by HR specialists using Form I-129 and an 
additional 1,551 petitions will be filed by lawyers using Form I-129 
and Form G-28. DHS estimates the total cost to file Form I-129 
petitions if filed by HR specialists is $1,344,810 (rounded).\128\ DHS 
estimates total cost to file Form I-129 petitions and Form G-28 if 
filed by lawyers will range from $1,545,882 (rounded) if only in-house 
lawyers file these forms to $2,148,647 (rounded) if only outsourced 
lawyers file them.\129\ Therefore, the estimated total cost to file 
Form I-129 and Form G-28 range from $2,890,692 and $3,493,457.\130\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \128\ Calculation: $670.06 opportunity costs for HR specialist 
plus filing fees * 2,007 Form I-129 filed by HR specialists = 
$1,344,810(rounded) total cost of Form I-129 filed by HR 
specialists.
    \129\ Calculation: $996.70 opportunity costs for in-house 
lawyers plus filing fees * 1,551 Form I-129 and Form G-28 filed by 
in-house lawyers = $1,545,882(rounded) total cost of Form I-129 and 
Form G-28 filed by in-house lawyers.
    Calculation: $1,385.33 opportunity costs for outsourced lawyers 
plus filing fees * 1,551 Form I-129 and Form G-28 filed by 
outsourced lawyers = $2,148,647(rounded) total cost of Form I-129 
and Form G-28 filed by outsourced lawyers.
    \130\ Calculation: $1,344,810 total cost of Form I-129 filed by 
HR specialists + $1,545,882 total cost of Form I-129 and Form G-28 
filed by in-house lawyers = $2,890,692 estimated total costs to file 
Form I-129 and G-28
    Calculation: $1,344,810 total cost of Form I-129 filed by HR 
specialists + $2,148,647 total cost of Form I-129 and G-28 filed by 
outsourced lawyers = $3,493,457 estimated total costs to file Form 
I-129 and G-28
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Costs To File Form I-907
    Employers may use Form I-907 to request premium processing of Form 
I-129 petitions for H-2B visas. The filing fee for Form I-907 for H-2B 
petitions is $1,500 and the time burden for completing the form is 35 
minutes (0.58 hour).\131\ Using the wage rates established previously, 
the opportunity cost of time to file Form I-907 is approximately $28.07 
for an HR specialist, $60.21 for an in-house lawyer, and $103.81 for an 
outsourced lawyer.\132\ Therefore, the total filing cost to complete 
and submit Form I-907 per petitioner is approximately $1,528.07 for HR 
specialists, $1,560.21 for in-house lawyers, and $1,603.81 for 
outsourced lawyers.\133\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \131\ See Form I-907 instructions at https://www.uscis.gov/i-907.
    \132\ Calculation for opportunity cost of time if an HR 
specialist files Form I-907: $48.40 x 0.58 hours = $28.07(rounded).
    Calculation for opportunity cost of time if an in-house lawyer 
files Form I-907: $103.81 x 0.58 hours= $60.21(rounded).
    Calculation for opportunity cost of time if an outsourced lawyer 
files Form I-907: $178.98 x 0.58 hours = $103.81(rounded).
    \133\ Calculation if an HR specialist files: $28.07 + $1,500 = 
$1,528.07.
    Calculation if an in-house lawyer files: $60.21 + $1,500 = 
$1,560.21.
    Calculation if outsourced lawyer files: $103.81 + $1,500 = 
$1,603.81.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed above, DHS estimates that an additional 1,874 Form I-
907 will be filed by HR specialists and an additional 1,448 Form I-907 
will be filed lawyers. DHS estimates the total cost of Form I-907 filed 
by HR specialists is about $2,863,603 (rounded).\134\ DHS estimates 
total cost to file Form I-907 filed by lawyers range from about 
$2,259,184 (rounded) for only in-house lawyers to $2,322,317 (rounded) 
for only outsourced lawyers.\135\ The estimated total cost to file Form 
I-907 range from $5,122,787 and $5,185,920.\136\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \134\ Calculation: $1,528.07 opportunity costs for HR specialist 
plus filing fees * 1,874 Form I-907 filed by HR specialists = 
$2,863,603 (rounded) total cost of Form I-907 filed by HR 
specialists.
    \135\ Calculation: $1,560.21 opportunity costs for in-house 
lawyers plus filing fees * 1,448 Form I-907 filed by in-house 
lawyers = $2,259,184 (rounded) total cost of Form I-907 filed by in-
house lawyers.
    Calculation: $1,603.81 opportunity costs for outsourced lawyers 
plus filing fees * 1,448 Form I-907 filed by outsourced lawyers = 
$2,322,317 (rounded) total cost of Form I-907 filed by outsourced 
lawyers.
    \136\ Calculation: $2,863,603 total cost of Form I-907 filed by 
HR specialists + $2,259,184 total cost of Form I-907 filed by in-
house lawyers = $5,122,787 estimated total costs to file Form I-907.
    Calculation: $2,863,603 total cost of Form I-129 filed by HR 
specialists + $2,322,317 total cost of Form I-907 filed by 
outsourced lawyers = $5,185,920 estimated total costs to file Form 
I-907.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cost To File Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4
    Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4 is an attestation form that includes 
recruiting requirements, the irreparable harm standard, and document 
retention obligations. DOL estimates the time burden for completing and 
signing the form is 0.25 hour, 0.25 hours for retaining records, and 
0.5 hours to comply with the returning workers' attestation, for a 
total time burden of 1 hour. Using the total wage per hour for an HR 
specialist ($48.40), the opportunity cost of time for an HR specialist 
to complete the attestation form, and notify third parties, and retain 
records relating to the returning worker requirements, is approximately 
$48.40.\137\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \137\ Calculation: $48.40 opportunity cost of time for HR 
specialist x 1-hour time burden for the new attestation form and 
notifying third parties and retaining records related to the 
returning worker requirements = $48.40.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additionally, the form requires that petitioners assess and 
document supporting evidence for meeting the irreparable harm standard, 
and retain those documents and records, which we assume will require 
the resources of a financial analyst (or another equivalent 
occupation). Using the same methodology previously described for wages, 
the total wage per hour for a financial analyst is $67.37.\138\ DOL 
estimates the time burden for these tasks is at least 4 hours, and 1 
hour for gathering and retaining documents and records. Therefore, the 
total opportunity cost of time for a financial analyst to assess, 
document, and retain supporting evidence is approximately $336.85.\139\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \138\ Calculation: $46.46 (average per hour wage for a financial 
analyst, based on BLS wages) x 1.45 (benefits-to-wage multiplier) = 
$67.37. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, ``May 
2020 National Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics'' 
Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and 
Financial Specialists, All Other (13-2098): https://www.bls.gov/oes/2020/may/oes_nat.htm#13-0000 (accessed April 9, 2021).
    \139\ Calculation: $67.37 (fully loaded hourly wage for a 
financial analyst) x 5 hours (time burden for assessing, documenting 
and retention of supporting evidence demonstrating the employer is 
likely to suffer irreparable harm) = $336.85.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed previously, DHS believes that the estimated 3,558 
remaining certifications for the latter half of FY 2021 would include 
potential employers that might request to employ H-2B workers under 
this rule. This number of certifications is a reasonable proxy for the 
number of employers that may need to review and sign the attestation. 
Using this estimate for the total number of certifications, we estimate 
the opportunity cost of time for completing the attestation for HR 
specialists is approximately $172,207 and for financial analysts is 
about $1,198,512.\140\ The total cost is estimated to be approximately 
$1,370,719.\141\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \140\ Calculations: Cost for HR Specialists: $48.40 opportunity 
cost of time for an HR specialist to comply with attestation 
requirements * 3,558 estimated additional petitions = 
$172,207(rounded) total cost for HR specialists to comply with 
attestation requirements.
    Calculation: $336.85 opportunity cost of time for a financial 
analyst to comply with attestation requirements * 3,558 estimated 
additional petitions = $1,198,512(rounded) for financial analysts to 
comply with attestation requirements.
    \141\ Calculation: $172,207 total cost for HR specialist to 
comply with attestation requirement + $1,198,512 total cost for 
financial analysts to comply with attestation requirements = 
$1,370,719 total cost to comply with attestation requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cost to Conduct Recruitment
    An employer that files Form ETA-9142B-CAA-4 and the I-129 petition 
45 or more days after the certified start date of work must conduct 
additional

[[Page 28224]]

recruitment of U.S. workers. This consists of placing a new job order 
with the State Workforce Agency, contacting the American Job Center, 
and contacting laid-off workers. Employers must place a new job order 
for the job opportunity with the State Workforce Agency (SWA). DOL 
estimates that it would take up to one hour to satisfy this 
requirement.
    Employers are required to make reasonable efforts to contact, by 
mail or other effective means, their former U.S. workers, including 
those workers who were furloughed and laid off, beginning January 1, 
2019. Employers must also disclose the terms of the job order to these 
workers as required by the rule. DOL estimates that it would take up to 
one hour to contact and provide the disclosure to displaced U.S. 
workers.
    During the period of time the SWA is actively circulating the job 
order, employers must contact, by email or other available electronic 
means, the nearest local American Job Center (AJC) in order to request 
staff assistance advertising and recruiting qualified U.S. workers for 
the job opportunity, and to provide to the AJC the unique 
identification number associated with the job order placed with the 
SWA. DOL estimates that it would take up to one hour to satisfy this 
requirement.
    DOL estimates the total time burden for activities related to 
conducting recruitment is 3 hours. Assuming this work will be done by 
an HR specialist or an equivalent occupation, the estimated cost to 
each petitioner is approximately $145.20.\142\ Using the 3,558 as the 
estimated number of petitioners, the estimated total cost of this 
provision is approximately $516,622.\143\ It is possible that if U.S. 
employees apply for these positions, H-2B employers may incur some 
costs associated with reviewing applications, interviewing, vetting, 
and hiring applicants who are referred to H-2B employers by the 
recruiting activities required by this rule. However, DOL is unable to 
quantify the impact.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \142\ Calculation: $48.40 hourly opportunity cost of time for an 
HR specialist * 3-hour time burden = $145.20 per petitioner cost to 
conduct additional recruitment.
    \143\ Calculation: 3,558 estimated number of petitioners * 
$145.20 per petitioner cost to conduct additional recruitment = 
$516,622 (rounded) total cost to conduct additional recruitment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cost of the COVID Protection Provision
    Employers must notify employees, in a language understood by the 
worker, as necessary or reasonable, that all persons in the United 
States, including nonimmigrants, have equal access to COVID-19 vaccines 
and vaccine distribution sites. We assume that employers will provide a 
printed notification to inform their employees and that printing and 
posting the notification can be done during the normal course of 
business. Given that the regulatory text associated with this provision 
is less than 150 words, we expect that an employer would only need to 
post a one-page notification, even if the notification is in multiple 
languages. The printing cost associated with posting the notification 
(assuming that the notification is written) is $0.49 per posting.\144\ 
The estimated total cost to petitioners to print copies is 
approximately $1,743 (rounded).\145\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \144\ Cost to make copies $0.49. See https://www.fedex.com/en-us/office/copy-and-print-services.html (accessed April 21, 2021).
    \145\ Calculation: $0.49 per posting * 3,558 petitioners = 
$1,743 cost of notifications copies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cost of the Portability Provision
    Petitioners seeking to hire H-2B nonimmigrants who are currently 
present in the United States with a valid H-2B visa would need to file 
a Form I-129 which includes paying the associated fee as discussed 
above. Also previously discussed, we assume that all employers with an 
approved TLC--5,507--would be able to file a petition under this 
provision. As discussed previously, if a petitioner is represented by a 
lawyer, the lawyer must file Form G-28; if premium processing is 
desired, a petitioner must file Form I-907 and pay the associated fee. 
We expect these actions to be performed by an HR specialist, in-house 
lawyer, or an outsourced lawyer. Moreover, as previously estimated, we 
expect that about 43.59 percent of these Form I-129 petitions will be 
filed by an in-house or outsourced lawyer. We do not have an estimate 
of the percentage of H-2B workers that may choose to port under this 
provision and therefore we do not know the numbers of petitions that 
may be filed with USCIS. Therefore, Table 5 presents a sensitivity 
analysis of the number of Forms I-129 H-2B petitions that may be filed 
under this provision by an HR specialist and the number of Forms I-129 
H-2B petitions and accompanying Forms G-28 that may be filed by an in-
house or outsourced lawyer.

   Table 5--Numbers of Form I-129 H-2B Petitions That May Be Filed on
Behalf of H-2B Workers That Choose To Port by HR Specialists and Lawyers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Numbers of
                                            Numbers of     Form I-129 H-
                                           Form I-129 H-   2B petitions
        Percent of approved TLCs           2B petitions    and Form G-28
                                            filed by HR      filed by
                                            specialists       lawyers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.......................................               0               0
5.......................................             155             120
25......................................             777             600
50......................................           1,554           1,200
75......................................           2,330           1,800
95......................................           2,951           2,281
100.....................................           3,106           2,401
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: USCIS Analysis.

    Previously, we estimated that about 93.37 percent of Form I-129 H-
2B petitions are filed with Form I-907 for premium processing. For this 
provision, we estimate that 5,142 Form I-129 H-2B petitions will be 
filed with premium processing Forms I-907.\146\ Table 6 presents a 
sensitivity analysis of the numbers of Forms I-907 that may be filed by 
HR specialists and lawyers under this portability provision.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \146\ Calculation: 5,507 estimated number of approved 
petitioners * 93.37 percent premium processing filing rate = 5,142 
(rounded) additional Forms I-907.

 Table 6--Numbers of Form I-907 Filed With Form I-129 H-2B Petitions on
Behalf of H-2B Workers That Choose to Port by HR Specialists and Lawyers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Numbers of      Numbers of
                                            Form I-907      Form I-907
        Percent of approved TLCs            filed by HR      filed by
                                            specialists       lawyers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.......................................               0               0
5.......................................             145             112
25......................................             725             560
50......................................           1,451           1,120
75......................................           2,176           1,681
95......................................           2,755           2,130
100.....................................           2,900           2,242
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: USCIS Analysis.

    As previously discussed, the estimated cost for an HR specialist to 
file a Form I-129 is approximately $670.06 and the estimated cost for 
an HR specialist to file a Form I-907 is about $1,528.07. Table 7 
presents a sensitivity analysis of costs resulting from HR specialists 
filing Form I-129, Form I-907, and the estimated total cost. The ``Cost 
for HR Specialist Filing Form I-129'' column multiplies the values in 
the ``Form I-129 Petitions Filed by HR Specialists'' column from

[[Page 28225]]

Table 5 by $670.06, the estimated cost for an HR specialist to file a 
Form I-129. The ``Costs for HR Specialist Filing Form I-907'' column 
multiplies the values in the ``Form I-907 Filed by HR Specialists'' 
from Table 6 by $1,528.07, the estimated cost for an HR specialist for 
an HR specialist to file a Form I-907.

 Table 7--Total Costs for Filing Form I-129 H-2B Petitions if Filed by HR Specialists on Behalf of Workers That
                                                 Choose to Port
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Total costs     Total costs
                                                                      for HR          for HR           Total
                    Percent of  Approved TLCs                       specialists     specialists      estimated
                                                                  filing Form  I- filing Form  I-  costs for HR
                                                                        129             907         specialists
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0...............................................................               0               0               0
5...............................................................         103,859         221,570         325,429
25..............................................................         520,637       1,107,852       1,628,489
50..............................................................       1,041,273       2,217,232       3,258,505
75..............................................................       1,561,240       3,325,085       4,886,325
95..............................................................       1,977,347       4,209,838       6,187,185
100.............................................................       2,081,206       4,431,409       6,512,615
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: USCIS Analysis.

    As previously discussed, the estimated cost for an in-house lawyer 
to file a Form I-129 petition and the accompanying Form G-28 is 
approximately 996.70 and the estimated cost for an in-house lawyer to 
file a Form I-907 is about 1,560.21. Table 8 presents a sensitivity 
analysis of costs resulting from in-house lawyers filing Form I-129, 
Form G-28, Form I-907, and the estimated total cost. The ``Cost for In-
house Lawyer Filing Form I-129 and Form G-28'' column multiplies the 
values in the ``Form I-129 Petitions and Form G-28 Filed by Lawyers'' 
column from Table 5 by 996.70, the estimated cost for an in-house 
lawyer to file a Form I-129 and Form G-28. The ``Costs for In-house 
Lawyer Filing Form I-907'' column multiplies the values in the ``Form 
I-907 by Lawyers'' from Table 6 by 1,560.21, the estimated cost for an 
HR specialist for an HR specialist to file a Form I-907.

Table 8--Total Costs for Filing Form I-129 H-2B Petitions if Filed by In-house Lawyers on Behalf of Workers That
                                                 Choose to Port
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Total
                                                                  Costs for  In-  Costs for  In-     estimated
                                                                   house  lawyer   house  lawyer       costs
                    Percent of  Approved TLCs                     filing Form  I- filing Form  I-    resulting
                                                                   129 and  Form        907       from  in-house
                                                                       G-28                            lawyer
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0...............................................................              $0              $0              $0
5...............................................................         119,604         174,743         294,347
25..............................................................         598,020         873,717       1,471,737
50..............................................................       1,196,040       1,747,435       2,943,475
75..............................................................       1,794,060       2,622,713       4,416,773
95..............................................................       2,273,473       3,323,247       5,596,720
100.............................................................       2,393,077       3,497,990       5,891,067
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: USCIS Analysis.

    As previously discussed, the estimated cost for an outsourced 
lawyer to file a Form I-129 and the accompanying Form G-28 is 
approximately 1,385.33 and the estimated cost for an outsourced lawyer 
to file a Form I-907 is about 1,603.81. Table 9 presents a sensitivity 
analysis of costs resulting from outsourced lawyers filing Form I-129, 
Form G-28, Form I-907, and the estimated total cost. The ``Costs for 
Outsourced Lawyer Filing Form I-129 and Form G-28'' column multiplies 
the values in the ``Form I-129 Petitions and Form G-28 Filed by 
Lawyers'' column from Table 5 by 1,385.33, the estimated cost for an 
outsourced lawyer to file a Form I-129 and Form G-28. The ``Costs for 
Outsourced Lawyer Filing Form I-907'' column multiplies the values in 
the ``Form I-907 by Lawyers'' from Table 6 by 1,603.81, the estimated 
cost for an outsourced lawyer to file a Form I-907.

[[Page 28226]]



  Table 9--Total Costs for Filing Form I-129 H-2B Petitions if Filed by Outsourced Lawyers on Behalf of Workers
                                               That Choose to Port
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Total
                                                                     Costs for                       estimated
                                                                    outsourced       Costs for         costs
                    Percent of  Approved TLCs                     lawyer  filing    outsourced       resulting
                                                                    Form  I-129   lawyer  filing       from
                                                                  and  Form G-28     Form I-907     outsourced
                                                                                                      lawyer
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0...............................................................               0               0               0
5...............................................................         254,466         179,627         434,093
25..............................................................       1,274,179         898,133       2,172,312
50..............................................................       2,548,359       1,796,265       4,344,624
75..............................................................       3,821,613       2,696,002       6,517,615
95..............................................................       4,841,327       3,416,112       8,257,439
100.............................................................       5,095,792       3,595,738       8,691,530
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: USCIS Analysis.

    The total quantified costs for this provision range from 0 to 
15,204,145 and are presented in Table 10 below. Though we present the 
sensitivity analysis as if no one will choose to port to another 
employer, DHS expects that at least one worker will take advantage of 
this porting provision and therefore, does not expect a 0 cost from 
this provision. DHS recognizes that if an employer that loses workers 
as a result of this provision chooses to replace those lost workers, 
that employer may incur some additional search and replacement costs 
associated with this provision.

    Table 10--Sensitivity Analysis of Total Costs of Form I-129 H-2B
            Petitions to Hire H-2B Workers Who Choose to Port
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Range in        Range in
                                           costs from HR   costs from HR
                                            specialists     specialists
                                           and in-house   and outsourced
                                            lawyers to      lawyers  to
                                             hire H-2B       hire H-2B
        Percent of  Approved TLCs           workers who     workers who
                                          choose to port  choose to port
                                            (addition of    (addition of
                                            totals from     totals from
                                            Table 7 and     Table 7 and
                                             Table 8)        Table 9)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.......................................               0               0
5.......................................         619,776         759,522
25......................................       3,100,226       3,800,801
50......................................       6,201,980       7,603,129
75......................................       9,303,098      11,403,940
95......................................      11,783,905      14,444,624
100.....................................      12,403,682      15,204,145
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: USCIS Analysis.

Cost of Audits to Petitioners
    DHS and DOL will each conduct audits on 250 separate employers of 
H-2B workers hired under this supplemental cap, for a total of 500 
employers. Employers will need to provide requested information to 
comply with the audit. The expected time burden to comply with audits 
is estimated to be 12 hours.\147\ We expect that providing these 
documents will be accomplished by an HR specialist or equivalent 
occupation. Given an hourly opportunity cost of time of 48.40, the 
estimated cost of complying with audits is 580.80 per audited 
employer.\148\ Therefore, the total estimated cost to employers to 
comply with audits is 290,400.\149\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \147\ The number in hours for audits was provided by the USCIS, 
Service Center Operations.
    \148\ Calculation: 48.40 hourly opportunity cost of time for an 
HR specialist * 12 hours to comply with an audit = 580.80 per 
audited employer.
    \149\ Calculation: 500 audited employers * 580.80 opportunity 
cost of time to comply with an audit = 290,400.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Estimated Total Costs to Petitioners
    The monetized costs of this rule come from filing and complying 
with Form I-129, Form G-28, Form I-907, and Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4, as 
well as contacting refreshing recruitment efforts, posting 
notifications, filings to obtain a porting worker, and complying with 
audits. The estimated total cost to file Form I-129 and an accompanying 
Form G-28 ranges from $2,890,692 to $3,493,457, depending on the filer. 
The estimated total cost of filing Form I-907 ranges from $5,122,787 to 
$5,185,920, depending on the filer. The estimated total cost of filing 
and complying with Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4 is about $1,370,719. The 
estimated total cost of conducting additional recruitment is about 
$516,662. The estimated total cost of the COVID-19 protection provision 
is approximately $1,743. The estimated cost of the portability 
provision ranges

[[Page 28227]]

from $0 to $15,204,145.\150\ The estimated total cost for employers to 
comply with audits is $290,400. The total estimated cost to petitioners 
ranges from $10,192,963 to $26,063,006.\151\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \150\ The lower bound cost of $0 is only if none of the eligible 
workers choose to port under this provision, while the upper bound 
cost of $15,204,145 is if every eligible worker chooses to port and 
every petitioner uses the more expensive filing option of an 
outsourced lawyer. As shown in Table 10, the range in costs if 50 
percent of eligible workers choose to port with their petitioners 
using an HR specialist or an outsourced lawyer to file would be from 
$6,201,980 to $7,603,129.
    \151\ Calculation of lower range: $2,890,692 + $5,122,787 + 
$1,370,719 + $516,622 + $1,743 + $0 + $290,400 = $10,192,963.
    Calculation of upper range: $3,493,457 + $5,185,920 + $1,370,719 
+ $516,622 + $1,743 + $15,204,145 + $290,400 = $26,063,006.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cost to the Federal Government
    The INA provides USCIS with the authority for the collection of 
fees at a level that will ensure recovery of the full costs of 
providing adjudication and naturalization services, including 
administrative costs, and services provided without charge to certain 
applicants and petitioners.\152\ DHS notes USCIS establishes its fees 
by assigning costs to an adjudication based on its relative 
adjudication burden and use of USCIS resources. Fees are established at 
an amount that is necessary to recover these assigned costs such as 
clerical, officers, and managerial salaries and benefits, plus an 
amount to recover unassigned overhead (for example, facility rent, IT 
equipment and systems among other expenses) and immigration benefits 
provided without a fee charge. Consequently, since USCIS immigration 
fees are based on resource expenditures related to the benefit in 
question, USCIS uses the fee associated with an information collection 
as a reasonable measure of the collection's costs to USCIS. DHS 
anticipates some additional costs in adjudicating the additional 
petitions submitted because of the increase in cap limitation for H-2B 
visas. However, DHS expects these costs to be fully recovered by the 
fees associated with the forms, which have been accounted for under 
costs to petitioners and serve as proxy of the costs to the agency to 
adjudicate these forms.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \152\ See INA section 286(m), 8 U.S.C. 1356(m).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Both DOL and DHS intend to conduct a significant number of random 
audits during the period of temporary need to verify compliance with H-
2B program requirements, including the irreparable harm standard as 
well as other key worker protection provisions implemented through this 
rule. While most USCIS activities are funded through fees and DOL is 
funded through appropriations, it is expected that both agencies will 
be able to shift resources to be able to conduct these audits without 
incurring additional costs. As previously mentioned, the agencies will 
conduct a total of 500 audits and each audit is expected to take 12 
hours. This results in a total time burden of 6,000 hours.\153\ USCIS 
anticipates that a Federal employee at a GS-13 Step 5 salary will 
conduct these audits for each agency. The base pay for a GS-13 Step 5 
in the Washington, DC locality area is $117,516.\154\ The hourly wage 
for this salary is approximately $56.50.\155\ To estimate the total 
hourly compensation for these positions, we multiply the hourly wage 
($56.50) by the Federal benefits to wage multiplier of 1.38.\156\ This 
results in an hourly opportunity cost of time of $77.97 for GS 13-5 
Federal employees in the Washington, DC locality pay area.\157\ The 
total opportunity costs of time for Federal workers to conduct audits 
is estimated to be $467,820.\158\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \153\ Calculation: 12 hours to conduct an audit * 500 audits = 
6,000 total hours to conduct audits.
    \154\ U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Pay and Leave, 
Salaries and Wages, For the Locality Pay area of Washington-
Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA, 2021. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/21Tables/html/DCB.aspx (last accessed May 6, 2021).
    \155\ Calculation: $117,516 GS 13-5 Washington, DC locality 
annual salary/2080 annual hours = $56.50 (rounded).
    \156\ Calculation: $1,717,321 Full-time Permanent Salaries + 
$656,748 Civilian Personnel Benefits = $2,374,069 Compensation.
    $2,374,069 Compensation/$1,717,321 Full-time Permanent Salaries 
= 1.38 (rounded) Federal employee benefits to wage ratio.
    https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/reports/USCIS_FY_2021_Budget_Overview.pdf (last accessed May 6, 2021).
    \157\ Calculation: $56.50 hourly wage for a GS 13-5 in the 
Washington, DC locality area * 1.38 Federal employee benefits to 
wage ratio = $77.97 hourly opportunity cost of time for a GS 13-5 
federal employee in the Washington, DC locality area.
    \158\ Calculation: 6,000 hours to conduct audits * $77.97 hourly 
opportunity cost of time = $467,820 total opportunity costs of time 
for Federal employees to conduct audits.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Benefits to Petitioners
    The inability to access H-2B workers for some entities may cause 
their businesses to suffer irreparable harm. Temporarily increasing the 
number of available H-2B visas for this fiscal year may result in a 
cost savings, because it will allow some businesses to hire the 
additional labor resources necessary to avoid such harm. Preventing 
such harm may ultimately preserve the jobs of other employees 
(including U.S. workers) at that establishment. Additionally, returning 
workers are likely to be very familiar with the H-2B process and 
requirements, and may be positioned to begin work more expeditiously 
with these employers. Moreover, employers may already be familiar with 
returning workers as they have trained, vetted, and worked with some of 
these returning workers in past years. As such, limiting the 
supplemental visas to returning workers would assist employers that are 
facing irreparable harm.
Benefits to Workers
    The existence of this rule will benefit the workers who receive H-
2B visas. See Arnold Brodbeck et al., Seasonal Migrant Labor in the 
Forest Industry of the United States: The Impact of H-2B Employment on 
Guatemalan Livelihoods, 31 Society & Natural Resources 1012 (2018), and 
in particular this finding: ``Participation in the H-2B guest worker 
program has become a vital part of the livelihood strategies of rural 
Guatemalan families and has had a positive impact on the quality of 
life in the communities where they live. Migrant workers who were 
landless, lived in isolated rural areas, had few economic 
opportunities, and who had limited access to education or adequate 
health care, now are investing in small trucks, building roads, 
schools, and homes, and providing employment for others in their home 
communities. . . . The impact has been transformative and positive.''
    Some provisions of this rule will benefit such workers in 
particular ways. The portability provision of this rule will allow 
nonimmigrants with valid H-2B visas who are present in the United 
States to transfer to a new employer more quickly and potentially 
extend their stay in the United States and, therefore, earn additional 
wages. Importantly, the rule will also increase information employees 
have about equal access to COVID-19 vaccinations and vaccine 
distribution sites. DHS recognizes that some of the effects of these 
provisions may occur beyond the borders of the United States.
    Note as well that U.S. workers will benefit in multiple ways. For 
example, the additional round of recruitment and U.S. worker referrals 
required by the provisions of this rule will ensure that a U.S. worker 
who is willing and able to fill the position is not displaced by a 
nonimmigrant worker. As noted, the avoidance of irreparable harm that 
would be suffered by employers unable to secure sufficient workers, 
made possible by this rule, could ensure that U.S. workers do not lose 
their jobs, which might otherwise be vulnerable if H-2B workers were 
not given visas.

[[Page 28228]]

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. (RFA), imposes 
certain requirements on Federal agency rules that are subject to the 
notice and comment requirements of the APA. See 5 U.S.C. 603(a), 
604(a). This temporary final rule is exempt from notice and comment 
requirements for the reasons stated above. Therefore, the requirements 
of the RFA applicable to final rules, 5 U.S.C. 604, do not apply to 
this temporary final rule. Accordingly, the Departments are not 
required to either certify that the temporary final rule would not have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
nor conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) is intended, among 
other things, to curb the practice of imposing unfunded Federal 
mandates on State, local, and tribal governments. Title II of the Act 
requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement assessing 
the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed rule, or final rule 
for which the agency published a proposed rule that includes any 
Federal mandate that may result in $100 million or more expenditure 
(adjusted annually for inflation) in any one year by State, local, and 
tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector. This 
rule is exempt from the written statement requirement because DHS did 
not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking for this rule.
    In addition, this rule does not exceed the $100 million expenditure 
in any 1 year when adjusted for inflation ($169.8 million in 2020 
dollars),\159\ and this rulemaking does not contain such a mandate. The 
requirements of Title II of the Act, therefore, do not apply, and the 
Departments have not prepared a statement under the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \159\ See U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Historical Consumer 
Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. City Average, All 
Items, available at https://www.bls.gov/cpi/tables/supplemental-files/historical-cpi-u-202103.pdf (last visited May 5, 2021).
    Calculation of inflation: (1) Calculate the average monthly CPI-
U for the reference year (1995) and the most recent current year 
available (2020); (2) Subtract reference year CPI-U from current 
year CPI-U; (3) Divide the difference of the reference year CPI-U 
and current year CPI-U by the reference year CPI-U; (4) Multiply by 
100 = [(Average monthly CPI-U for 2020-Average monthly CPI-U for 
1995)/(Average monthly CPI-U for 1995)] * 100 = [(258.811 - 
152.383)/152.383] * 100 = (106.428/152.383) *100 = 0.6984 * 100 = 
69.84 percent = 69.8 percent (rounded).
    Calculation of inflation-adjusted value: $100 million in 1995 
dollars * 1.698 = $169.8 million in 2020 dollars.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

E. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    This rule does not have substantial direct effects on the States, 
on the relationship between the National Government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with section 6 of 
Executive Order 13132, 64 FR 43255 (Aug. 4, 1999), this rule does not 
have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a 
federalism summary impact statement.

F. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)

    This rule meets the applicable standards set forth in sections 3(a) 
and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, 61 FR 4729 (Feb. 5, 1996).

G. National Environmental Policy Act

    DHS and its components analyze proposed actions to determine 
whether the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) applies to them 
and, if so, what degree of analysis is required. DHS Directive (Dir) 
023-01 Rev. 01 and Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01 Rev. 01 
(Instruction Manual) establish the procedures that DHS and its 
components use to comply with NEPA and the Council on Environmental 
Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA, 40 CFR parts 1500 
through 1508.
    The CEQ regulations allow Federal agencies to establish, with CEQ 
review and concurrence, categories of actions (``categorical 
exclusions'') which experience has shown do not individually or 
cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and, 
therefore, do not require an Environmental Assessment (EA) or 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 40 CFR 1507.3(b)(1)(iii), 1508.4. 
The Instruction Manual, Appendix A, Table 1 lists Categorical 
Exclusions that DHS has found to have no such effect. Under DHS NEPA 
implementing procedures, for an action to be categorically excluded, it 
must satisfy each of the following three conditions: (1) The entire 
action clearly fits within one or more of the categorical exclusions; 
(2) the action is not a piece of a larger action; and (3) no 
extraordinary circumstances exist that create the potential for a 
significant environmental effect. Instruction Manual, section V.B.2(a-
c).
    This rule temporarily amends the regulations implementing the H-2B 
nonimmigrant visa program to increase the numerical limitation on H-2B 
nonimmigrant visas for the remainder of FY 2021 based on the Secretary 
of Homeland Security's determination, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Labor, consistent with the FY 2021 Omnibus. It also allows 
H-2B beneficiaries who are in the United States to change employers 
upon the filing of a new H-2B petition and begin to work for the new 
employer for a period generally not to exceed 60 days before the H-2B 
petition is approved by USCIS.
    DHS has determined that this rule clearly fits within categorical 
exclusion A3(d) because it interprets or amends a regulation without 
changing its environmental effect. The amendments to 8 CFR part 214 
would authorize up to an additional 22,000 visas for aliens who may 
receive H-2B nonimmigrant visas, of which 16,000 are for returning 
workers (persons issued H-2B visas or were otherwise granted H-2B 
status in Fiscal Years 2018, 2019, or 2020). The proposed amendments 
would also facilitate H-2B nonimmigrants to move to new employment 
faster than they could if they had to wait for a petition to be 
approved. The amendment's operative provisions approving H-2B petitions 
under the supplemental allocation would effectively terminate after 
September 30, 2021 for the cap increase, and 180 days from the rule's 
effective date for the portability provision. DHS believes amending 
applicable regulations to authorize up to an additional 22,000 H-2B 
nonimmigrant visas will not result in any meaningful, calculable change 
in environmental effect with respect to the current H-2B limit or in 
the context of a current U.S. population exceeding 331,000,000 (maximum 
temporary increase of 0.0066%).
    The amendment to applicable regulations is a stand-alone temporary 
authorization and not a part of any larger action, and presents no 
extraordinary circumstances creating the potential for significant 
environmental effects. Therefore, this action is categorically excluded 
and no further NEPA analysis is required.

H. Congressional Review Act

    This temporary final rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by the 
Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 804(2), and thus is not subject to a 
60-day delay in the rule becoming effective. DHS will send this 
temporary final rule to Congress and to the Comptroller General under 
the Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.

[[Page 28229]]

I. Paperwork Reduction Act

Attestation for Employers Seeking To Employ H-2B Nonimmigrants Workers 
Under Section 105 of Division O of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
2021 Public Law 116-260, Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4
    The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., provides 
that a Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection 
of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to 
an information collection, unless it is approved by OMB under the PRA 
and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, 
notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally 
be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of 
information that does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 
1320.5(a) and 1320.6. DOL has submitted the Information Collection 
Request (ICR) contained in this rule to OMB and obtained approval of a 
new form, Form ETA-9142B-CAA-4, using emergency clearance procedures 
outlined at 5 CFR 1320.13. The Departments note that while DOL 
submitted the ICR, both DHS and DOL will use the information.
    Petitioners will use the new Form ETA-9142B-CAA-4 to make 
attestations regarding, for example, irreparable harm and returning 
worker (unless exempt because the H-2B worker is a national of one of 
the Northern Triangle countries who is counted against the 6,000 
returning worker exemption cap) described above. Petitioners will need 
to file the attestation with DHS until it announces that the 
supplemental H-2B cap has been reached. In addition, the petitioner 
will need to retain all documentation demonstrating compliance with 
this implementing rule, and must provide it to DHS or DOL in the event 
of an audit or investigation.
    In addition to obtaining immediate emergency approval, DOL is 
seeking comments on this information collection pursuant to 5 CFR 
1320.13. Comments on the information collection must be received by 
July 26, 2021. This process of engaging the public and other Federal 
agencies helps ensure that requested data can be provided in the 
desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is 
minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the 
impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly 
assessed. The PRA provides that a Federal agency generally cannot 
conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is 
generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless 
it is approved by OMB under the PRA and displays a currently valid OMB 
Control Number. See 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. In addition, notwithstanding 
any other provisions of law, no person must generally be subject to a 
penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that 
does not display a valid OMB Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 
1320.6.
    In accordance with the PRA, DOL is affording the public with notice 
and an opportunity to comment on the new information collection, which 
is necessary to implement the requirements of this rule. The 
information collection activities covered under a newly granted OMB 
Control Number 1205-NEW are required under Section 105 of Division O of 
the FY 2021 Omnibus, which provides that ``the Secretary of Homeland 
Security, after consultation with the Secretary of Labor, and upon the 
determination that the needs of American businesses cannot be satisfied 
in [FY] 2021 with U.S. workers who are willing, qualified, and able to 
perform temporary nonagricultural labor,'' may increase the total 
number of noncitizens who may receive an H-2B visa in FY 2021 by not 
more than the highest number of H-2B nonimmigrants who participated in 
the H-2B returning worker program in any fiscal year in which returning 
workers were exempt from the H-2B numerical limitation. As previously 
discussed in the preamble of this rule, 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 
22,000 visas through the end of FY 2021 for certain H-2B workers for 
U.S. businesses who attest that they will likely suffer irreparable 
harm. As with the previous supplemental rules, the Secretary has 
determined that the additional visas will only be available for 
returning workers, that is workers who were issued H-2B visas or 
otherwise granted H-2B status in FY 2018, 2019, or 2020, unless the 
worker is one of the 6,000 nationals of one of the Northern Triangle 
countries who are exempt from the returning worker requirement.
    Commenters are encouraged to discuss the following:
     Whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
     the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and
     the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, for example, permitting 
electronic submission of responses.
    The aforementioned information collection requirements are 
summarized as follows:
    Agency: DOL-ETA.
    Type of Information Collection: Extension of an existing 
information collection.
    Title of the Collection: Attestation for Employers Seeking to 
Employ H-2B Nonimmigrants Workers Under Section 105 of Division O of 
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Public Law 116-260.
    Agency Form Number: Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4.
    Affected Public: Private Sector--businesses or other for-profits.
    Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,558.
    Average Responses per Year per Respondent: 1.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 3,558.
    Average Time per Response: 9 hours per application.
    Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 32,023 hours.
    Total Estimated Other Costs Burden: $0.
Application for Premium Processing Service, Form I-907
    The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., provides 
that a Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection 
of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to 
an information collection, unless it is approved by OMB under the PRA 
and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, 
notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally 
be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of 
information that does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 
1320.5(a) and 1320.6. Form I-907, Application for Premium Processing 
Service, has been approved by OMB and assigned OMB control number 1615-
0048. DHS is making no changes to the Form I-907 in connection with 
this temporary rule implementing the time-limited authority pursuant to 
section

[[Page 28230]]

105 of Division O, FY 2021 Omnibus (which expires on September 30, 
2021). However, USCIS estimates that this temporary rule may result in 
approximately 3,332 additional filings of Form I-907 in fiscal year 
2021. The current OMB-approved estimate of the number of annual 
respondents filing a Form I-907 is 319,301. USCIS has determined that 
the OMB-approved estimate is sufficient to fully encompass the 
additional respondents who will be filing Form I-907 in connection with 
this temporary rule, which represents a small fraction of the overall 
Form I-907 population. Therefore, DHS is not changing the collection 
instrument or increasing its burden estimates in connection with this 
temporary rule, and is not publishing a notice under the PRA or making 
revisions to the currently approved burden for OMB control number 1615-
0048.

List of Subjects

8 CFR Part 214

    Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Cultural exchange 
programs, Employment, Foreign officials, Health professions, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements, Students.

8 CFR Part 274a

    Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Employment, 
Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

20 CFR Part 655

    Administrative practice and procedure, Employment, Employment and 
training, Enforcement, Foreign workers, Forest and forest products, 
Fraud, Health professions, Immigration, Labor, Longshore and harbor 
work, Migrant workers, Nonimmigrant workers, Passports and visas, 
Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Unemployment, 
Wages, Working conditions.

Department of Homeland Security

8 CFR Chapter I

    For the reasons discussed in the joint preamble, chapter I of title 
8 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 214--NONIMMIGRANT CLASSES

0
1. Effective May 25, 2021 through May 28, 2024, the authority citation 
for part 214 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  6 U.S.C. 202, 236; 8 U.S.C. 1101, 1102, 1103, 1182, 
1184, 1186a, 1187, 1221, 1281, 1282, 1301-1305, 1357, and 1372; sec. 
643, Pub. L. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009-708; Pub. L. 106-386, 114 Stat. 
1477-1480; section 141 of the Compacts of Free Association with the 
Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall 
Islands, and with the Government of Palau, 48 U.S.C. 1901 note and 
1931 note, respectively; 48 U.S.C. 1806; 8 CFR part 2; Pub. L. 115-
218, 132 Stat. 1547 (48 U.S.C. 1806).


0
2. Effective May 25, 2021 through May 28, 2024, amend Sec.  214.2 by:
0
a. Adding paragraph (h)(6)(x);
0
b. Adding reserved paragraph (h)(25); and
0
c. Adding paragraph (h)(26).
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  214.2  Special requirements for admission, extension, and 
maintenance of status.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (6) * * *
    (x) Special requirements for additional cap allocations under the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260--(A) Public 
Law 116-260--(1) Supplemental allocation for returning workers. 
Notwithstanding the numerical limitations set forth in paragraph 
(h)(8)(i)(C) of this section, for fiscal year 2021 only, the Secretary 
has authorized up to an additional 16,000 visas for aliens who may 
receive H-2B nonimmigrant visas pursuant to section 105 of Division O 
of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260. An 
alien may be eligible to receive an H-2B nonimmigrant visa under this 
paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(1) if she or he is a returning worker. The term 
``returning worker'' under this paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(1) means a 
person who was issued an H-2B visa or was otherwise granted H-2B status 
in fiscal year 2018, 2019, or 2020. Notwithstanding Sec.  248.2 of this 
chapter, an alien may not change status to H-2B nonimmigrant under this 
paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(1).
    (2) Supplemental allocation for nationals of Guatemala, El 
Salvador, and Honduras (Northern Triangle countries). Notwithstanding 
the numerical limitations set forth in paragraph (h)(8)(i)(C) of this 
section, for fiscal year 2021 only, and in addition to the allocation 
described in paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(1) of this section, the Secretary 
has authorized up to an additional 6,000 aliens who are nationals of 
Guatemala, El Salvador, or Honduras (Northern Triangle countries) who 
may receive H-2B nonimmigrant visas pursuant to section 105 of Division 
O of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260. 
Such workers are not subject to the returning worker requirement in 
paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(1). Petitioners must request such workers in an 
H-2B petition that is separate from H-2B petitions that request 
returning workers under paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(1) and must declare that 
they are requesting these workers in the attestation required under 20 
CFR 655.68(a)(1). Notwithstanding Sec.  248.2 of this chapter, an alien 
may not change status to H-2B nonimmigrant under this paragraph 
(h)(6)(x)(A)(2).
    (i) Petitions submitted under this paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(2) must 
be received by July 8, 2021. H-2B petitions under the supplemental 
allocation for nationals of Northern Triangle countries received after 
that date will be rejected.
    (ii) If USCIS determines that it has received fewer petitions by 
July 8, 2021 than needed to reach the USCIS projections for the 
Northern Triangle countries supplemental allocation in this paragraph 
(h)(6)(x)(A)(2), it will make the remainder of the allocation available 
as a separate allocation described in paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(3) of this 
section.
    (3) Availability of remainder of supplemental allocation. If USCIS 
determines that fewer petitions have been received by July 8, 2021 than 
needed to meet the additional allocation described in paragraph 
(h)(6)(x)(A)(2) of this section, USCIS will make the remainder of the 
allocation available as a separate allocation to returning workers as 
described in paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(1) of this section and will 
announce the availability of the remainder of the allocation on the 
USCIS website at uscis.gov no later than July 23, 2021. Such 
announcement, if made, will specify the date on which petitioners may 
begin to file H-2B petitions under this paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(3).
    (B) Eligibility. In order to file a petition with USCIS under this 
paragraph (h)(6)(x), the petitioner must:
    (1) Comply with all other statutory and regulatory requirements for 
H-2B classification, including, but not limited to, requirements in 
this section, under part 103 of this chapter, and under 20 CFR part 655 
and 29 CFR part 503; and
    (2) Submit to USCIS, at the time the employer files its petition, a 
U.S. Department of Labor attestation, in compliance with this section 
and 20 CFR 655.64, evidencing that:
    (i) Without the ability to employ all of the H-2B workers requested 
on the petition filed pursuant to this paragraph (h)(6)(x), its 
business is likely to suffer irreparable harm (that is, permanent and 
severe financial loss);
    (ii) All workers requested and/or instructed to apply for a visa 
have been issued an H-2B visa or otherwise

[[Page 28231]]

granted H-2B status in fiscal year 2018, 2019, or 2020, unless the H-2B 
worker is a national of Guatemala, El Salvador, or Honduras and is 
counted towards the 6,000 cap described in paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(2) of 
this section;
    (iii) The employer will comply with all Federal, State, and local 
employment-related laws and regulations, including health and safety 
laws and laws related to COVID-19 worker protections, any right to time 
off or paid time off for COVID-19 vaccination, and that the employer 
will notify any H-2B workers approved under the supplemental cap in 
paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(2) of this section, in a language understood by 
the worker, as necessary or reasonable, that all persons in the United 
States, including nonimmigrants, have equal access to COVID-19 vaccines 
and vaccine distribution sites;
    (iv) The employer will comply with obligations and additional 
recruitment requirements outlined in 20 CFR 655.64(a)(3) through (5);
    (v) The employer will provide documentary evidence of the facts in 
paragraphs (h)(6)(x)(B)(2)(i) through (iv) of this section to DHS or 
DOL upon request; and
    (vi) The employer will agree to fully cooperate with any compliance 
review, evaluation, verification, or inspection conducted by DHS, 
including an on-site inspection of the employer's facilities, interview 
of the employer's employees and any other individuals possessing 
pertinent information, and review of the employer's records related to 
the compliance with immigration laws and regulations, including but not 
limited to evidence pertaining to or supporting the eligibility 
criteria for the FY 2021 supplemental allocations outlined in paragraph 
(h)(6)(x)(B) of this section, as a condition for the approval of the 
petition.
    (vii) The employer must attest on Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4 that it 
will fully cooperate with any audit, investigation, compliance review, 
evaluation, verification or inspection conducted by DOL, including an 
on-site inspection of the employer's facilities, interview of the 
employer's employees and any other individuals possessing pertinent 
information, and review of the employer's records related to the 
compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including but not 
limited to evidence pertaining to or supporting the eligibility 
criteria for the FY 2021 supplemental allocations outlined in 20 CFR 
655.64(a) and 655.68(a), as a condition for the approval of the H-2B 
petition. The employer must further attest on Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4 
that it will not impede, interfere, or refuse to cooperate with an 
employee of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor who is 
exercising or attempting to exercise DOL's audit or investigative 
authority pursuant to 20 CFR part 655, subpart A, and 29 CFR 503.25.
    (C) Processing. USCIS will reject petitions filed pursuant to 
paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(1) or (3) of this section that are received 
after the applicable numerical limitation has been reached or after 
September 15, 2021, whichever is sooner. USCIS will reject petitions 
filed pursuant to paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(2) of this section that are 
received after the applicable numerical limitation has been reached or 
after July 8, 2021, whichever is sooner. USCIS will not approve a 
petition filed pursuant to this paragraph (h)(6)(x) on or after October 
1, 2021.
    (D) Numerical limitations under paragraphs (h)(6)(x)(A)(1), (2), 
and (3) of this section. When calculating the numerical limitations 
under paragraphs (h)(6)(x)(A)(1), (2), and (3) of this section as 
authorized under Public Law 116-260, USCIS will make numbers for each 
allocation available to petitions in the order in which the petitions 
subject to the respective limitation are received. USCIS will make 
projections of the number of petitions necessary to achieve the 
numerical limit of approvals, taking into account historical data 
related to approvals, denials, revocations, and other relevant factors. 
USCIS will monitor the number of petitions (including the number of 
workers requested when necessary) received and will notify the public 
of the dates that USCIS has received the necessary number of petitions 
(the ``final receipt dates'') under paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(1) or 
paragraphs (h)(6)(x)(A)(2) and (3). The day the public is notified will 
not control the final receipt dates. When necessary to ensure the fair 
and orderly allocation of numbers subject to the numerical limitations 
in paragraphs (h)(6)(x)(A)(1), (2), and (3), USCIS may randomly select 
from among the petitions received on the final receipt dates the 
remaining number of petitions deemed necessary to generate the 
numerical limit of approvals. This random selection will be made via 
computer-generated selection. Petitions subject to a numerical 
limitation not randomly selected or that were received after the final 
receipt dates that may be applicable under paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(1), 
(2), or (3) will be rejected. If the final receipt date is any of the 
first 5 business days on which petitions subject to the applicable 
numerical limits described in paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(1), (2), or (3) 
may be received (in other words, if any of the numerical limits 
described in paragraph (h)(6)(x)(A)(1), (2), or (3) is reached on any 
one of the first 5 business days that filings can be made), USCIS will 
randomly apply all of the numbers among the petitions received on any 
of those 5 business days.
    (E) Sunset. This paragraph (h)(6)(x) expires on October 1, 2021.
    (F) Non-severability. The requirement to file an attestation under 
paragraph (h)(6)(x)(B)(2) of this section is intended to be non-
severable from the remainder of this paragraph (h)(6)(x), including, 
but not limited to, the numerical allocation provisions at paragraphs 
(h)(6)(x)(A)(1), (2), and (3) of this section in their entirety. In the 
event that any part of this paragraph (h)(6)(x) is enjoined or held to 
be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of 
this paragraph (h)(6)(x) is also intended to be enjoined or held to be 
invalid in such jurisdiction, without prejudice to workers already 
present in the United States under this paragraph (h)(6)(x), as 
consistent with law.
* * * * *
    (26) Change of employers and portability for H-2B workers. (i) This 
paragraph (h)(26) relates to H-2B workers seeking to change employers 
during the time period specified in paragraph (h)(26)(iv) of this 
section. Notwithstanding paragraph (h)(2)(i)(D) of this section, an 
alien in valid H-2B nonimmigrant status:
    (A) Whose new petitioner files a non-frivolous H-2B petition 
requesting an extension of the alien's stay on or after May 25, 2021, 
is authorized to begin employment with the new petitioner after the 
petition described in this paragraph (h)(26) is received by USCIS and 
before the new H-2B petition is approved, but no earlier than the start 
date indicated in the new H-2B petition; or
    (B) Whose new petitioner filed a non-frivolous H-2B petition 
requesting an extension of the alien's stay before May 25, 2021 that 
remains pending on May 25, 2021, is authorized to begin employment with 
the new petitioner before the new H-2B petition is approved, but no 
earlier than the start date of employment indicated on the new H-2B 
petition.
    (ii)(A) With respect to a new petition described in paragraph 
(h)(26)(i)(A) of this section, and subject to the requirements of 8 CFR 
274a.12(b)(30), the new period of employment described in paragraph 
(h)(26)(i) of this section may last for up to 60 days beginning on the 
Received Date on Form

[[Page 28232]]

I-797 (Notice of Action) or, if the start date of employment occurs 
after the I-797 Received Date, for a period of up to 60 days beginning 
on the start date of employment indicated in the H-2B petition.
    (B) With respect to a new petition described in paragraph 
(h)(26)(i)(B) of this section, the new period of employment described 
in paragraph (h)(26)(i) of this section may last for up to 60 days 
beginning on the later of either May 25, 2021 or the start date of 
employment indicated in the H-2B petition.
    (C) With respect to either type of new petition, if USCIS 
adjudicates the new petition before the expiration of this 60-day 
period and denies the petition, or if the new petition is withdrawn by 
the petitioner before the expiration of the 60-day period, the 
employment authorization associated with the filing of that petition 
under 8 CFR 274a.12(b)(30) will automatically terminate 15 days after 
the date of the denial decision or 15 days after the date on which the 
new petition is withdrawn. Nothing in this paragraph (h)(26) is 
intended to alter the availability of employment authorization related 
to professional H-2B athletes who are traded between organizations 
pursuant to paragraph (h)(6)(vii) of this section and 8 CFR 
274a.12(b)(9).
    (iii) In addition to meeting all other requirements in paragraph 
(h)(6) of this section for the H-2B classification, to commence 
employment and be approved under this paragraph (h)(26):
    (A) The alien must have been in valid H-2B nonimmigrant status on 
or after May 25, 2021;
    (B) The new H-2B petition must have been--
    (1) Pending as of May 25, 2021; or
    (2) Received on or after May 25, 2021, but no later than November 
22, 2021;
    (C) The petitioner must comply with all Federal, State, and local 
employment-related laws and regulations, including health and safety 
laws, laws related to COVID-19 worker protections, and any right to 
time off or paid time off for COVID-19 vaccination; and
    (D) The petitioner may not impede, interfere, or refuse to 
cooperate with an employee of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of 
Labor who is exercising or attempting to exercise DOL's audit or 
investigative authority under 20 CFR part 655, subpart A, and 29 CFR 
503.25.
    (iv) Authorization to initiate employment changes pursuant to this 
paragraph (h)(26) begins at 12 a.m. on May 25, 2021, and ends at the 
end of November 22, 2021.
* * * * *

PART 274a--CONTROL OF EMPLOYMENT OF ALIENS

0
3. The authority citation for part 274a continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  8 U.S.C. 1101, 1103, 1105a, 1324a; 48 U.S.C. 1806; 8 
CFR part 2; Pub. L. 101-410, 104 Stat. 890, as amended by Pub. L. 
114-74, 129 Stat. 599.


0
4. Effective May 25, 2021 through May 28, 2024, amend Sec.  274a.12 by 
adding paragraph (b)(30) to read as follows:


Sec.  274a.12   Classes of aliens authorized to accept employment.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (30)(i) Pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(h)(26) and notwithstanding 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(2)(i)(D), an alien is authorized to be employed no earlier 
than the start date of employment indicated in the H-2B petition and no 
earlier than May 25, 2021, by a new employer that has filed an H-2B 
petition naming the alien as a beneficiary and requesting an extension 
of stay for the alien, for a period not to exceed 60 days beginning on:
    (A) The later of the ``Received Date'' on Form I-797 (Notice of 
Action) acknowledging receipt of the petition, or the start date of 
employment indicated on the new H-2B petition, for petitions filed on 
or after May 25, 2021; or
    (B) The later of May 25, 2021 or the start date of employment 
indicated on the new H-2B petition, for petitions that are pending as 
of May 25, 2021.
    (ii) If USCIS adjudicates the new petition prior to the expiration 
of the 60-day period in paragraph (b)(30)(i) of this section and denies 
the new petition for extension of stay, or if the petitioner withdraws 
the new petition before the expiration of the 60-day period, the 
employment authorization under this paragraph (b)(30) will 
automatically terminate upon 15 days after the date of the denial 
decision or the date on which the new petition is withdrawn. Nothing in 
this section is intended to alter the availability of employment 
authorization related to professional H-2B athletes who are traded 
between organizations pursuant to paragraph (b)(9) of this section and 
8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(vii).
    (iii) Authorization to initiate employment changes pursuant to 8 
CFR 214.2(h)(26) and paragraph (b)(30)(i) of this section begins at 12 
a.m. on May 25, 2021, and ends at the end of November 22, 2021.
* * * * *

Department of Labor

Employment and Training Administration

20 CFR Chapter V

    Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the joint preamble, 20 CFR 
part 655 is amended as follows:

PART 655--TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN WORKERS IN THE UNITED 
STATES

0
5. The authority citation for part 655 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  Section 655.0 issued under 8 U.S.C. 
1101(a)(15)(E)(iii), 1101(a)(15)(H)(i) and (ii), 8 U.S.C. 
1103(a)(6), 1182(m), (n), (p), and (t), 1184(c), (g), and (j), 1188, 
and 1288(c) and (d); sec. 3(c)(1), Pub. L. 101-238, 103 Stat. 2099, 
2102 (8 U.S.C. 1182 note); sec. 221(a), Pub. L. 101-649, 104 Stat. 
4978, 5027 (8 U.S.C. 1184 note); sec. 303(a)(8), Pub. L. 102-232, 
105 Stat. 1733, 1748 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note); sec. 323(c), Pub. L. 103-
206, 107 Stat. 2428; sec. 412(e), Pub. L. 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681 (8 
U.S.C. 1182 note); sec. 2(d), Pub. L. 106-95, 113 Stat. 1312, 1316 
(8 U.S.C. 1182 note); 29 U.S.C. 49k; Pub. L. 107-296, 116 Stat. 
2135, as amended; Pub. L. 109-423, 120 Stat. 2900; 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(4)(i); 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(iii); and sec. 6, Pub. L. 115-218, 
132 Stat. 1547 (48 U.S.C. 1806).

    Subpart A issued under 8 CFR 214.2(h).
    Subpart B issued under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a), 1184(c), 
and 1188; and 8 CFR 214.2(h).
    Subpart E issued under 48 U.S.C. 1806.
    Subparts F and G issued under 8 U.S.C. 1288(c) and (d); sec. 
323(c), Pub. L. 103-206, 107 Stat. 2428; and 28 U.S.C. 2461 note, 
Pub. L. 114-74 at section 701.
    Subparts H and I issued under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) and 
(b)(1), 1182(n), (p), and (t), and 1184(g) and (j); sec. 303(a)(8), 
Pub. L. 102-232, 105 Stat. 1733, 1748 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note); sec. 
412(e), Pub. L. 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681; 8 CFR 214.2(h); and 28 
U.S.C. 2461 note, Pub. L. 114-74 at section 701.
    Subparts L and M issued under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(c) and 
1182(m); sec. 2(d), Pub. L. 106-95, 113 Stat. 1312, 1316 (8 U.S.C. 
1182 note); Pub. L. 109-423, 120 Stat. 2900; and 8 CFR 214.2(h).


0
6. Effective May 25, 2021 through September 30, 2021, add Sec.  655.64 
to read as follows:


Sec.  655.64  Special application filing and eligibility provisions for 
Fiscal Year 2021 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.

    (a) An employer filing a petition with USCIS under 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(6)(x) to request H-2B workers who will begin employment on or 
after May 25, 2021, through September 30, 2021, must meet the following 
requirements:
    (1) The employer must attest on Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4 that without 
the ability to employ all of the H-2B

[[Page 28233]]

workers requested on the petition filed pursuant to 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(6)(x), its business is likely to suffer irreparable harm (that 
is, permanent and severe financial loss), and that the employer will 
provide documentary evidence of this fact to DHS or DOL upon request.
    (2) The employer must attest on Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4 that each of 
the workers requested and/or instructed to apply for a visa, whether 
named or unnamed, on a petition filed pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x), 
have been issued an H-2B visa or otherwise granted H-2B status during 
one of the last three (3) fiscal years (fiscal year 2018, 2019, or 
2020), unless the H-2B worker is a national of Guatemala, El Salvador, 
or Honduras and is counted towards the 6,000 cap described in 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(6)(x)(A)(2).
    (3) The employer must attest on Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4 that the 
employer will comply with all the assurances, obligations, and 
conditions of employment set forth on its approved Application for 
Temporary Employment Certification.
    (4) The employer must attest on Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4 that it will 
comply with all Federal, State, and local employment-related laws and 
regulations, including health and safety laws and laws related to 
COVID-19 worker protections, any right to time off or paid time off for 
COVID-19 vaccination, and that the employer will notify any H-2B 
workers approved under the supplemental cap in 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(6)(x)(A)(1) and (2), in a language understood by the worker, 
as necessary or reasonable, that all persons in the United States, 
including nonimmigrants, have equal access to COVID-19 vaccines and 
vaccine distribution sites.
    (5) An employer that submits Form ETA-9142B-CAA-4 and the I-129 
petition 45 or more days after the certified start date of work, as 
shown on its approved Application for Temporary Employment, must 
conduct additional recruitment of U.S. workers as follows:
    (i) Not later than the next business day after submitting the I-129 
petition for H-2B worker(s), the employer must place a new job order 
for the job opportunity with the State Workforce Agency (SWA), serving 
the area of intended employment. The employer must follow all 
applicable SWA instructions for posting job orders and receive 
applications in all forms allowed by the SWA, including online 
applications (sometimes known as ``self-referrals''). The job order 
must contain the job assurances and contents set forth in Sec.  655.18 
for recruitment of U.S. workers at the place of employment, and remain 
posted for at least 15 calendar days;
    (ii) During the period of time the SWA is actively circulating the 
job order described in paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section for 
intrastate clearance, the employer must contact, by email or other 
available electronic means, the nearest comprehensive American Job 
Center offering business services and serving the area of intended 
employment where work will commence, request staff assistance 
advertising and recruiting qualified U.S. workers for the job 
opportunity, and provide the unique identification number associated 
with the job order placed with the SWA or, if unavailable, a copy of 
the job order;
    (iii) During the period of time the SWA is actively circulating the 
job order described in paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section for 
intrastate clearance, the employer must contact (by mail or other 
effective means) its former U.S. workers, including those who have been 
furloughed or laid off, during the period beginning January 1, 2019, 
until the date the I-129 petition required under 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x) 
is submitted, who were employed by the employer in the occupation at 
the place of employment (except those who were dismissed for cause or 
who abandoned the worksite), disclose the terms of the job order, and 
solicit their return to the job. The contact and disclosures required 
by this paragraph (a)(5)(iii) must be provided in a language understood 
by the worker, as necessary or reasonable;
    (iv) During the period of time the SWA is actively circulating the 
job order described in paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section for 
intrastate clearance, the employer must engage in the recruitment of 
U.S. workers as provided in Sec.  655.45(a) and (b). The contact and 
disclosures required by this paragraph (a)(5)(iv) must be provided in a 
language understood by the worker, as necessary or reasonable; and
    (v) The employer must hire any qualified U.S. worker who applies or 
is referred for the job opportunity until the date on which the last H-
2B worker departs for the place of employment, or 30 days after the 
last date on which the SWA job order is posted, whichever is later. 
Consistent with Sec.  655.40(a), applicants can be rejected only for 
lawful job-related reasons.
    (6) The employer must attest on Form ETA-9142-B-CAA-4 that it will 
fully cooperate with any audit, investigation, compliance review, 
evaluation, verification, or inspection conducted by DOL, including an 
on-site inspection of the employer's facilities, interview of the 
employer's employees and any other individuals possessing pertinent 
information, and review of the employer's records related to the 
compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including but not 
limited to evidence pertaining to or supporting the eligibility 
criteria for the FY 2021 supplemental allocations outlined in this 
paragraph (a) and Sec.  655.68(a), as a condition for the approval of 
the H-2B petition. Pursuant to this subpart and 29 CFR 503.25, the 
employer will not impede, interfere, or refuse to cooperate with an 
employee of the Secretary who is exercising or attempting to exercise 
DOL's audit or investigative authority.
    (b) This section expires on October 1, 2021.
    (c) The requirements under paragraph (a) of this section are 
intended to be non-severable from the remainder of this section; in the 
event that paragraph (a)(1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of this section is 
enjoined or held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, 
the remainder of this section is also intended to be enjoined or held 
to be invalid in such jurisdiction, without prejudice to workers 
already present in the United States under this part, as consistent 
with law.

0
7. Effective May 25, 2021 through September 30, 2024, add Sec.  655.68 
to read as follows:


Sec.  655.68  Special document retention provisions for Fiscal Years 
2021 through 2024 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.

    (a) An employer who files a petition with USCIS to employ H-2B 
workers in fiscal year 2021 under authority of the temporary increase 
in the numerical limitation under section 105 of Division O, Public Law 
116-260 must maintain for a period of three (3) years from the date of 
certification, consistent with 20 CFR 655.56 and 29 CFR 503.17, the 
following:
    (1) A copy of the attestation filed pursuant to the regulations in 
8 CFR 214.2 governing that temporary increase;
    (2) Evidence establishing, at the time of filing the I-129 
petition, that employer's business is likely to suffer irreparable harm 
(that is, permanent and severe financial loss), if it cannot employ H-
2B nonimmigrant workers in fiscal year 2021;
    (3) Documentary evidence establishing that each of the workers the 
employer requested and/or instructed to apply for a visa, whether named 
or unnamed on a petition filed pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x), have 
been issued an H-2B visa or otherwise granted H-2B status during one of 
the last three (3) fiscal years (fiscal year 2018, 2019,

[[Page 28234]]

or 2020), unless the H-2B worker(s) is a national of El Salvador, 
Guatemala, or Honduras and is counted towards the 6,000 cap described 
in 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(x)(A)(2). Alternatively, if applicable, employers 
must maintain documentary evidence that the workers the employer 
requested and/or instructed to apply for visas are eligible nationals 
of El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras, as defined in 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(6)(x)(A)(2); and
    (4) If applicable, proof of recruitment efforts set forth in Sec.  
655.64(a)(5)(i) through (iv) and a recruitment report that meets the 
requirements set forth in Sec.  655.48(a)(1) through (4) and (7), and 
maintained throughout the recruitment period set forth in Sec.  
655.64(a)(5)(v).
    (b) DOL or DHS may inspect the documents in paragraphs (a)(1) 
through (4) of this section upon request.
    (c) This section expires on October 1, 2024.

Alejandro N. Mayorkas,
Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Martin J. Walsh,
Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2021-11048 Filed 5-21-21; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-97-P; 4510-FP-P