On May 12, the Department of Homeland Security published a temporary final rule to change certain H-2B requirements to help secure the U.S. food supply chain and reduce the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency on H-2B employers. The temporary flexibilities are available through Sept. 11, 2020.
The temporary final rule allows employers that have properly filed H-2B extension of stay petitions and Form ATT-H2B, Attestation for Employers Seeking to Employ H-2B Nonimmigrant Workers Essential to the U.S. Food Supply Chain (PDF) between certain dates to begin employing certain H-2B workers while USCIS adjudicates their petition. The workers must currently be in H-2B status but working for a different employer. If so, a new employer may begin employing the H-2B workers on or after the date that USCIS receives the extension of stay petition (as stated on Form I-797, Notice of Action, receipt notice) or the date USCIS acknowledges in writing receipt of a properly filed attestation, Form ATT-H2B but no earlier than the start date of employment listed on the H-2B petition.
The temporary rule applies if USCIS received the new employer’s extension of stay H-2B petition on or after March 1, and it remains pending as of May 14, or USCIS receives the H-2B petition between May 14 and Sept. 11, 2020. In both cases, USCIS must also receive a Form ATT-H2B
Under this temporary final rule, the new employer may employ the H-2B worker while the extension of stay petition is pending, for a period not to exceed 60 days starting from the:
- Received Date on Form I-797 (Notice of Action) acknowledging receipt of the petition requesting an extension of stay, which includes the attestation (Form ATT-H2B
- Date USCIS acknowledges in writing receipt of the properly filed attestation (Form ATT-H2B) submitted while the H-2B petition is pending; or
- Start date of employment if the start date of employment indicated in the H-2B petition occurs after the filing.
The H-2B employee’s unexpired Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, indicating his or her H-2B status, along with the employee’s foreign passport, qualify as a Form I-9 List A document.
To complete Section 2, you, the new employer, should enter under List A:
- The unexpired foreign passport information;
- Unexpired Form I-94 information; and
- In the Additional Information field, “60-Day Ext.” and the date you submitted the extension of stay H-2B petition (Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) to USCIS or the date you submitted Form ATT-H2B) if your petition was filed on or after March 1, 2020, and is still pending on May 14, 2020.
If USCIS denies the new petition, or if you withdraw the new petition before the 60-day period expires, USCIS will automatically terminate the H-2B worker’s employment authorization within 15 calendar days of its denial decision or the withdrawal request. You must reverify the employee’s employment authorization in Section 3 by the end of the 60-day period described above or once you receive a decision on the H-2B petition, whichever comes first. If your petition is denied or withdrawn, count 15 days from the date of the denial or withdrawal request for the date the employee’s employment authorization expires.
Employers of H-2B workers continuing employment with the same employer should continue to follow current Form I-9 guidance provided in the M-274, Handbook for Employers - Section 6.7
For more information see USCIS H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers page.