MAINE PUBLIC • November 23, 2022
The Departments of Homeland Security and Labor are issuing about 65 thousand additional H-2B visas for fiscal year 2023 to help small businesses that need workers. As of mid-September, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reported the first half of the H-2B visa cap had been reached early. Sen. Angus King is among lawmakers asking the government to expedite the release of the remaining visas, so ski resorts can access and train needed staff before seasonal demand ramps up. The National Ski Areas Association reports that 81% of ski operators said they were unable to fully staff their resorts last year.