Biden Agencies’ Pact Boosts Seasonal Visas in Blow to Unions

Two Biden administration agencies have struck a deal to offer 22,000 extra seasonal guestworker visas to employers in the coming months, providing additional opportunities for businesses to hire temporary foreign workers, a move that will cheer business interests but alienate unions who argue those jobs belong to Americans.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh agreed late last week to lift the cap on H-2B visas, two sources familiar with the process said. Once formally announced, the new stock of temporary visas would supplement a previous supply of 33,000 for the second half of fiscal 2021, all ...