[Carlita]

Our company has been getting H2B Visa's for the past three season. The cap was reached on January 3, 2005, and our paper work had not made it to USCIS as of yet.

I am looking to see if any one on this forum is going the experience the same hardships as my company will. I have 3 Team Leaders that participate in this program.

I am also looking to see if any one has helped their hispanic workforce receive "Labor Certification" or a "Green Card", how the process went for you and so forth.

[Lanelle]

I heard a talk about this on Tuesday by an immigration attorney. She mentioned that the logging industry is trying to monopolize the program quota. Not sure that there is much that you can do right now. This attorney helps people nationwide and has 25 yrs. experience. If anyone will know, she will. PM me if you want contact info.

[jwholden]

That really sucks that the cap was reached so early and our government is doing little/nothing to fix the situation. I can't believe the government thinks that 66,000 workers is enough to fill all the openings or that companies who have been using the program for years are going to be turned down.

[Lanelle]

Actually, the next filing opens on April 1, 2005.

[jwholden]

That's a good thing to know. I've made some calls about how the system works, but havn't gotten down to the nitty gritty.

[PSUscaper]

I've heard a lot about this in the past few weeks, and have a question on the matter. The question is based on this number of 66,000 (or whatever it is) and the the limit being reached. My question is, is it actually based on 66,000 workers being 'physically' brought in, or is it based on 66,000 'applications' being sent in??? If it is based on applications, then doesn't that mean that out of the 66k, probably about 1/3 to I'd venture 1/2 are just dummy applications made by companies for the fact they 'might' need more help???? Almost every H2B program I've talked too has a set price that only changes a little bit whether you apply for 2 workers or 10, and most suggest applying for the full amount even if you don't need them....and hek, if your paying for ten, you might as well apply for them!

It appears the H2B system is like a baseball game. You go to a sold out game, pay big bucks to get seats up in the nose blead section, and when you sit down, there's a empty rows of seats right behind the dug out that no one ever sits in the entire game. If your ambitious, you may try to sneak up and sit in them, but most likely your plan is foiled by a usher who grabs you and yells 'those seats are reserved!'

I've mentioned before the outrageous number or H2B help wanted adds being printed in my local paper. To me, this whole system is just going to crash and burn.

I mean, every other company in my area has a application in for 10, 20, 30+ guys to be brought in, and those who don't, are all trying to get the paper work started to bring in more or make current illegal workers they have legal.

For anyone out there who is involved with this h2b, I have to ask if this was a 'stellar' year or what? Was there a HUGE increase in applications?

Almost every trade show I go to has a H2B rep. Its not a 'brickman' or 'tru-green' only thing anymore, its EVERYONE.

I have to really question if the system can keep up with this demand. Obviously not. And then have to question if it is possible for the gov't to actually make changes in any sort of timely manner.

It seems like a snow ball that is at the top of the hill that has just started rolling.

[Carlita]

If I am not mistaken, they take 100,000 applications, to fill the possible 66,000 Visa's.

As for the help wanted ads, we have to start the process 120 days before we actually need the workers.

We had an advisor come in train us on how to do the process. He charges a one time training fee, and every year we pay 100.00 for him to keep us updated with any changes or if I need any assistance. The actual cost for the apllication is $185.00, and if you want a response in 10 days, you pay an extra $1,000.00. With these fees you can bring 1 or 1000 people.

Obviously you need to put the ad in a paper, and pay for travel and so forth. I also go to the Embassy in Mexico, and assist the applicants with the paper work. Plus it looks good for a representative of the company to be there, and if something is to go wrong with any of the applicants, you know right away.

It has worked well for us the past three years, and we also do not have to worry about immigration knocking on our doors!

[jwholden]

Carlita,

The comapanies I have called about the process want to charge between 2-3 K for up to 4 workers.

Are you saying that your costs involved for the process are 100 to your advisor, 185 processing fee, and 1000 for the 'premium processing fee', cost of an ad in the local paper to meet labor law, plus transport of workers? That sounds very reaonable.

Do you go to the consulate in Monterrey? That seems to be where everyone goes to 'pick up' H2B workers.

Have any of your workers ever been denied a work visa? It sounds like they need to be 'tied' to Mexico or the U.S. doesn't want them. One of the agencies I called said if they have farm animals that they would come back for they will most likely get the visa.

Thanks for the input.

[Carlita]

The consultation to train us on how to do the process was approx. $3,000. We had the training back in December of 2001, so it may be more or less. You only pay this fee one time.

I usually go to Ciudad Juarez, but I wouldn't mind going to Monterrey. I am just so accustomed to Ciudad Juarez. The first year my adviser went with us to the embassy, for a small fee, but the last two years, I have gone by myself.

I did have one individual get turned down for a Visa last year. They started a new rule stating that if an individual is caught at the border in the previous 5 years will not qualify for a Visa.

As for the farm animal thing, I have never hears of that.

FYI - Premium Processing takes 15 days, not 10. Sorry for the mistake!

[AZTLANLC]

The new merge between PLCAA and ALCA now know as PLANET has this H2b link where they discuss this problem you can also take some action on it and send a letter to you congress man trough the previous link, please check it out and participate.

[Laroccaml]

Hello, I'm new on the forum.
My husband and I, are in need of an H2B sponsorship.
We are looking for organization's but, untill today we have not find anyone.
If you know of anything please let us know.
Here's our email: Laroccaml at msn.com

Thanks,

MLLR

[Stonehenge]

Welcome Laroccaml,

I edited your post to change the email address. People will still understand where to send an email, but then this way you won't get spam sent to your email box.

[Lanelle]

I talked today with the immigration attorney that I know. Seems that the feds have just announced new procedures and rules for the H2B program. Don't know the details.

[Carlita]

Yes, I am awaire of them. I spoke to my advisor on Wednesday. Instead of one day at the Consulate, you will spend two, and the visa application form is now electronic (barcode application).

I was also told the applicants will have their fingerprints taken 5 to 7 times.