H-2B Visa Research Shows Economic Boost Without Harm to U.S. Workers

A new body of research is helping settle the debate around the H-2B visa program and H-2B visa benefits—and the results are compelling. Conducted using rigorous quasi-experimental methods, these studies examined what happens when employers are randomly given or denied access to H-2B workers. This approach, while accidental in design, gave researchers a unique opportunity to isolate the program’s real effects.

Here’s what they found:

• Firms with access to H-2B workers were more likely to stay in business. Across multiple years and different industries, these employers experienced measurable gains in revenue, payroll, and capital investment.

• Employers hired more U.S. workers, not fewer. One study found that when firms gained access to H-2B labor, they also increased their domestic hiring—particularly in rural areas. This challenges the notion that foreign seasonal workers displace U.S. workers.

• The program benefits don’t come at competitors' expense. Neighboring businesses that did not use the H-2B program actually performed better when nearby employers could fill their seasonal labor needs. In short, access to labor supports broader economic stability.

• Jobs filled by H-2B workers are hard to automate or replace. From landscaping and seafood processing to amusement parks and hospitality, these roles often require human skill and physical presence—meaning the need for workers is real and persistent.

• Critics raise concerns, but evidence supports reform, not removal. While it’s essential to protect workers from exploitation and abuse, the solution isn’t to dismantle the program—it’s to strengthen oversight while continuing to meet genuine workforce needs.

As an immigration attorney who works closely with seasonal employers, I see how vital H-2B workers are to business continuity. These findings reinforce what so many employers and communities already understand: the H-2B program is not just about filling jobs—it’s about keeping businesses alive, supporting American workers, and contributing to local economies.

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