President Signs Bill Giving Limited H2B Relief
Posted Aug 13, 2004
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President Bush signed H.R. 4613, the Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2005, on August 5, 2004. Upon signing, the bill became Public Law Number 108-287. Though the law primarily focuses on providing funds for various defense measures, it also includes a provision that fish roe processors, fish roe technicians, and supervisors of fish roe processing are exempt from the H2B cap. [Those who are unfamiliar with this process may wish to read our MurthyDotCom article, How a Bill Becomes a Law.]
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This H2B cap should not be confused with the H1B cap for temporary professional workers. The H2B is for temporary and seasonal non- professional workers. More information about the H2B category and cap can be found in our March 19, 2004 MurthyBulletin article, H2B Cap Reached, available on MurthyDotCom.
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It appears that the lobbying power of the fish roe industry is powerful and has been able to deliver results not accomplished by many other groups. It is unclear how many fish roe processors, technicians, or supervisors will benefit from this H2B cap exemption. We at The Law Office of Sheela Murthy are hopeful that more comprehensive immigration reform will occur sometime following the November 2004 Presidential elections.