Bill Still Before Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The future of the non-agricultural labor "safety net" for landscape professionals-- the H-2B non-agricultural-unskilled worker immigration program-- remains tied to the controversial High Tech Alien Worker bill in the Congress. The reductions to H-2B were amended into the High Tech Worker bill during consideration in the House Judiciary Committee earlier in the year. At this time, momentum on the High Tech Worker bill has slowed to a near halt in both houses, and may not be passed before the Congress adjourns for the year. Bi-partisan opposition continues to build against expansion of the High Tech Alien Worker Program; in fact, President Clinton has announced that he will veto the bill if it comes to him in its current form.

In short term, this is good news to landscape professionals who oppose cuts to this labor safety net program. However, even if this effort fails to reduce the visas allowed landscape professionals and other users in the H-2B program, opponents to the program may attach the reductions to other bills moving through the legislative process. The American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA)'s position is that the H-2B program should be preserved as the landscape industry's insurance against labor shortages. For this reason, ANLA has joined forces with other affected industries to oppose reductions made to the H-2B program. The coalition is calling on members of the House and Senate to remove the provision reducing H-2B levels of authorization. ANLA strongly urges landscape contractors to contact your Senators and Representatives to voice opposition to the H-2B provision, and any comparable provision being considered by the Senate.