U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) on March 27 applauded the U.S. State Department announcement to expand the categories of H-2 visa applicants so that America’s agriculture industry has the necessary workforce to maintain production of the nation’s food supply during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While we work together as a nation to combat the coronavirus pandemic, we must ensure Americans have abundant access to food and give producers the workers they need to keep the supply chain strong,” Sen. Tillis said.
The State Department on March 26 called the H-2 program for temporary workers “essential to the economy and food security of the United States.”
“Therefore, we intend to continue processing H-2 cases as much as possible, as permitted by post resources and local government restrictions,” according to the department’s statement. “Secretary Pompeo, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, has authorized consular officers to expand the categories of H-2 visa applicants whose applications can be adjudicated without an in-person interview. Consular officers can, if they so choose, now waive the visa interview requirement for first-time and returning H-2 applicants who have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility.”
The State Department announcement followed a March 19 bipartisan, bicameral letter led by Sen. Tillis and signed by more than 100 members of Congress urging the Trump administration to use existing authorities to ensure “maximum flexibilities” toward allowing the timely processing of H-2A visa requests.
“I want to thank the Trump administration for making this a priority and allowing the agriculture industry continued access to the workforce they need to protect our nation’s domestic food supply,” said Sen. Tillis.