Kratovil Secures Immediate Visa Relief for Maryland Crab Industry

Washington, DC – Responding to efforts by Congressman Frank Kratovil, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute confirmed today that the DHS will shortly announce the release of additional FY09 H-2B visas for temporary workers, which will provide immediate relief to numerous Maryland crab processing businesses. Federal immigration laws cap the H-2B program at 66,000 visas per year, and many crab processing facilities on Maryland’s Eastern Shore have had their H-2B applications denied as a result of the DHS formula for allocating visas under this cap. After repeated inquiries from Kratovil regarding potential steps that DHS could take to help the crabbing industry, including the allocation of visas, DHS will acknowledge today that visas have been under-allocated under the fiscal year 2009 cap and an additional 25,000 visas will be immediately released. This announcement is welcome news to the Maryland crab industry, which has been dealing with a severe labor shortage that has prevented a number of processing facilities from opening this season, while those that have been opened have been operating at levels far below capacity. Reopening these facilities will have a major impact on the local economy; a recent study from the University of Maryland found that each H-2B worker in the crab industry supports 2.5 American jobs.
Rep. Kratovil released the following statement regarding The Department of Homeland Security’s decision.
“I am pleased that the Department of Homeland Security listened to our pleas and released these additional visas. This decision is great news for the Eastern Shore communities that have been hurting because of the closed picking houses. These additional visas will allow Maryland’s crab processors to open and remain viable throughout the rest of this season. Today’s announcement is good news for the watermen, picking house owners and employees, truck drivers, restaurant owners, community bankers, and everyone else whose livelihood is impacted by the crabbing industry. I would also like to acknowledge the work of Senator Barbara Mikulski, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and other colleagues in Maryland and across the country who have also been steadfast champions for H-2B relief.”