Dirty Work In-Sourcing American Jobs with H-2B Guestworkers Center for Immigration Studies
Conclusion
The debate over H-2B visas is complex, and those on the polar opposite ends of it are both right and both wrong. Critics of the program often fail to acknowledge that: 1) it can be difficult (though not impossible) for American employers, especially truly seasonal ones, to recruit competent, reliable American staff, even during a recession; 2) some, though definitely not all, of the available American labor pool lacks the kind of motivation, skills, dedication, and flexibility that foreign H-2B labor can offer; 3) most H-2B workers and employers are good, honest people trying to make a living for their families and, while some employers are definitely guilty of abusing their workers, most are not; 4) H-2B workers and employers are at least part of the legal economy, contributing to our tax base, in stark contrast to illegal workers and those who employ them; 5) when Americans who aren’t students take truly seasonal jobs, they sometimes cannot find work the rest of the year and end up using unemployment compensation and other public services; and 6) if the H-2B program were abolished, some businesses would struggle to compete, and some might go out of business.
On the other side of the debate, supporters of the H-2B program often refuse to accept that: 1) one of the primary reasons why H-2B employers have a hard time finding American staff is not because Americans don’t want to work, but because Americans cannot support their families on low-wage, no-benefit jobs; 2) despite the fact that many (though not all) H-2B jobs offer low wages, and no benefits, many of these jobs could still be filled with legal American workers; 3) jobs that last nine or 10 months each year are not “seasonal;” 4) H-2Bs likely consume more in social services than they contribute in taxes, particularly because most receive no health care coverage from their employers; 5) H-2B employers’ advertising and recruitment efforts in the United States are often pro-forma — too many employers assume that it’s impossible to get American workers and don’t really devote serious resources to trying; and 6) the H-2B program is particularly detrimental to less-educated Americans, minorities, and students, some of the most vulnerable segments of our economy.
While there are valid points on both sides of this debate, this report has focused more on the problems with the H-2B program, rather than the positive aspects of it, not because I want to tarnish the image of H-2B workers or those who employ them, but because the program, as it is currently operating, is rife with fraud and abuse that diminishes the entire system’s integrity. My hope is that by pointing out all of the problems, we might be able to replace the current system with one that benefits truly seasonal employers, and does a much better job of ensuring that unemployed American workers don’t lose out on jobs they would take and employed Americans do not have their wages depressed by guestworkers.
The present system is dominated by medium and large companies — many of whom are masquerading as seasonal employers — and recruiters who use their knowledge of the system to squeeze smaller companies that would like to use the system, but don’t have the resources or inside knowledge on how to secure H-2Bs. Very few truly small, or truly seasonal employers can afford to use the lawyers and recruiters needed to navigate the current needlessly complex H-2B program. While President Obama and nearly every other American politician is quick to denounce companies that outsource American jobs, few politicians are willing to denounce companies that in-source American jobs here at home with foreign labor. Acknowledging the problems associated with in-sourcing American jobs at home with guestworkers does
not mean “scapegoating” foreign workers — it simply means bringing an important debate out into the open for examination. It’s time to get serious about trying to repair our broken guestworker system, and if we are not prepared to devote the resources necessary to restoring some integrity to the program, it should be ended. If the H-2B program is to continue, the following policy recommendations would help restore some measure of fairness to a system tarnished by fraud and abuse.
Excellent article explaining the situation. And the numbers in this area and who's hiring them. And it's LEGAL whether you like it or not. Compared to the number of illegal workers in this country is is very small..............as at this point we don't even really know the actual numbers of ILLEGALS in this country. Somewhere between 11 million and 35 million are here as we type.
Compared to the LAWLESSNESS of the current administration who IGNORE our immigration laws and are Granting Amnesty and Asylum to many from the middle east at this time. Not to mention the Sanctuary cities in open contrast to the laws of this country. Trump companies hire a lot of workers. Many contractors use sub contractors and h2b's to lower costs...................It's part of their business to reduce cost and increase profits..............And Trump is not immune to these practices.............
When he was challenged on accusations of HIRING ILLEGALS by a reporter............he asked could you NAME them please so he could deal with it...............The reporter and source didn't name them................