§ 655.65 - Special document retention provisions for Fiscal Years 2024 through 2027 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, as extended by Public Law 118–15.

§ 655.65 Special document retention provisions for Fiscal Years 2024 through 2027 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, as extended by Public Law 118–15.

(a) An employer that files a petition with USCIS to employ H–2B workers in fiscal year 2024 under authority of the temporary increase in the numerical limitation under section 303 of Division O, Public Law 117–328, as extended by Public Law 118–15 must maintain for a period of three (3) years from the date of certification, consistent with 20 CFR 655.56 and 29 CFR 503.17, the following:

(1) A copy of the attestation filed pursuant to the regulations in 8 CFR 214.2 governing that temporary increase;

(2) Evidence establishing, at the time of filing the I–129 petition, that the employer's business is suffering irreparable harm or will suffer impending irreparable harm (that is, permanent and severe financial loss) without the ability to employ all of the H–2B workers requested on the petition filed pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(xiv), including a detailed written statement describing the irreparable harm and how such evidence shows irreparable harm;

(3) Documentary evidence establishing that each of the workers the employer requested and/or instructed to apply for a visa, whether named or unnamed on a petition filed pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(xiv), have been issued an H–2B visa or otherwise granted H–2B status during one of the last three (3) fiscal years (fiscal year 2021, 2022, or 2023), unless the H–2B worker(s) is a national of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, or Costa Rica and is counted towards the 20,000 cap described in 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(xiv)(A)(2). Alternatively, if applicable, employers must maintain documentary evidence that the workers the employer requested and/or instructed to apply for visas are eligible nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, or Costa Rica as defined in 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(xiv)(A)(2); and

(4) If applicable, proof of recruitment efforts set forth in § 655.64(a)(4)(i) through (vii) and a recruitment report that meets the requirements set forth in § 655.48(a)(1) through (4) and (7), and maintained throughout the recruitment period set forth in § 655.64(a)(4)(viii).

(b) DOL and/or DHS may inspect the documents in paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section upon request.

(c) This section expires on October 1, 2027.

[88 FR 80460, Nov. 17, 2023]