The Trump administration is set to release an additional 65,000 seasonal worker visas for 2026, a significant expansion of the H‑2B programme that allows foreign workers into the United States for temporary non‑agricultural jobs. The move comes as employers across key industries from construction and hospitality to landscaping and seafood processing struggle with severe labour shortages that threaten operations. Under U.S. immigration rules, the H‑2B visa cap is typically limited to 66,000 visas per year, split between the first and second halves of the fiscal year. But the Department of Homeland Security has said it will issue an additional 65,000 visas, nearly doubling the number available and allowing employers to bring in more temporary workers to fill urgent vacancies.
Business groups welcomed the decision, calling it a much‑needed relief for sectors hit hard by ongoing labour shortages. With a tight U.S. job market and fewer domestic workers applying for seasonal jobs, employers have warned that a lack of H‑2B workers could lead to cancelled contracts, delayed projects and higher costs for consumers.
But critics including some labour advocates and policy analysts argue that increasing visa allocations could put downward pressure on wages for U.S. workers and reduced incentives to hire domestically. They have urged Washington to pair visa expansions with stronger worker protections and enforcement against abuse The extra visas are part of broader discussions in Washington over immigration policy and workforce needs, with lawmakers from both parties under pressure to find solutions that balance economic demand with protections for American workers.
