[wanabidii] Press Releases: Changes to Entry Requirements for Caribbean Residents Traveling to United States as Agricultural Workers

You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Press Releases: Changes to Entry Requirements for Caribbean Residents Traveling to United States as Agricultural Workers 02/04/2016 04:23 PM EST Changes to Entry Requirements for Caribbean Residents Traveling to United States as Agricultural Workers Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC February 4, 2016 The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State published rules in the Federal Register on February 4, 2016 eliminating the nonimmigrant visa exemption for certain Caribbean residents coming to the United States as H-2A agricultural workers. Beginning February 19, certain Caribbean residents seeking to come to the United States as H-2A agricultural workers will be required to have both a valid passport and visa. Eliminating this visa exemption, which was originally created to address labor shortages during World War II, will ensure those traveling to the United States, like other H-2A agricultural workers, have been sufficiently screened via the Department of State’s visa issuance process prior to their arrival. This visa requirement will also better ensure that these workers are protected from potential employment and recruitment-based abuses. The spouses and children who travel with these workers to the United States will also be required to have both a valid passport and visa. This change applies to a British, French, or Netherlands national, or a national of Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, or Trinidad and Tobago, who has residence in British, French, or Netherlands territory located in the adjacent islands of the Caribbean, or has residence in Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, or Trinidad and Tobago. The H-2A nonimmigrant classification applies to an alien seeking to enter the United States to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature. For further information, please contact the Department of Homeland Security at mediainquiry@dhs.hq.gov or the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs at CApressRequests@state.gov. The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein. Stay connected with the State Department:       External links found in this content or on Department of State websites that go to other non-Department websites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.  Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of State. This email was sent to wanabidii@googlegroups.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Department of State · 2201 C Street NW · Washington, DC 20520