From Temporary to Trusted: How H-2B Workers Are Building a Future in the U.S. Horse-Racing Industry

At Churchill Downs, the most prestigious racehorses in the country don’t just train on the track — they’re cared for behind the scenes by a workforce that includes many H-2B visa holders. These workers feed, groom, and walk the horses, rising early each day to ensure the animals are ready to compete.

The H-2B visa program, designed for nonagricultural seasonal work, has long been the backbone of labor in industries like hospitality, landscaping, and equine care. But today, thanks to increasing uncertainty about visa availability, more employers are exploring a different route: sponsoring their H-2B workers for green cards.

Why Employers Are Sponsoring Green Cards

The annual cap on H-2B visas (66,000 total) has made it harder for employers to plan and retain essential staff. With no guarantee of receiving visas year after year, some trainers and stable owners are choosing to invest in long-term solutions — even if they’re costly. A green card sponsorship can run upwards of $10,000, but for employers who’ve spent years training the same trusted worker, it’s often worth it.

Green card holders aren’t tied to seasonal timelines or constant visa renewals. They can legally work year-round, take on broader responsibilities, and train others — adding real depth and stability to a business.

A Glimmer of Hope — With a Catch

In 2017, a regulatory shift clarified that workers in temporary visa status — including those on H-2B — can pursue permanent residency without automatically jeopardizing their visa renewal. That change opened the door for more H-2B workers to transition to permanent status and bring their families to the U.S. But the process is still far from smooth.

The Immigrant Visa Backlog Is Creating New Uncertainty

Even after an immigrant petition is approved, workers are left waiting — sometimes for years — before they can actually adjust status or receive an immigrant visa at the consulate. This backlog is wreaking havoc on workforce planning. Employers might invest in sponsorship only to be stuck in limbo, unsure when (or if) their workers will be able to take the next step.

The delays also strain workers who’ve done everything right — contributing to the industry, maintaining legal status, and earning their employers’ trust — but remain uncertain about their long-term future.

The Bottom Line

As visa caps tighten and labor shortages continue, green card sponsorship may be one of the few reliable paths forward for the industries that depend on seasonal workers. But in today’s immigration landscape, even that path is filled with unknowns.

Still, for many employers and workers alike, it’s a risk worth taking — because good people are hard to find, and even harder to replace.

👉 Read the full NPR article here:The horse-racing industry needs workers on visas. Employers hope to still get them.

📞 Need Guidance on Sponsorship Options?

If your business relies on H-2B workers and you're exploring long-term staffing solutions, we can help. At Kirchner Law, we guide employers through every step of the green card process — from labor certifications to adjustment of status. Let’s build a workforce you can count on.

👉 Schedule a consultation at www.kirchnerimmigration.com or email us at info@kirchnerimmigration.com.

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