The House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee has released its Fiscal Year 2027 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, and it contains an important victory for seasonal employers that rely on the H-2B program.
Included in the legislation is Certified Seasonal Employer (CSE) language that the H-2B Workforce Coalition has been advocating for over the past several years.
The provision would provide cap relief for employers with a demonstrated history of participation in the H-2B program. Specifically, employers that received labor certifications during FY 2022 through FY 2026 would be eligible to receive H-2B positions in FY 2027 that are exempt from the annual visa cap, up to the highest number of positions for which they were certified during any one of those previous five fiscal years.
This approach rewards long-time, compliant employers that have consistently followed program requirements while helping address ongoing workforce shortages.
The CSE designation has become a top priority for many seasonal industries as demand for H-2B workers continues to significantly exceed available visas. Although the Administration released the maximum number of supplemental H-2B visas in both FY 2025 and FY 2026, demand still far outpaced supply, leaving many employers uncertain whether they would receive the workers needed to maintain operations.
The CSE proposal aims to provide greater workforce stability for employers with a proven track record in the program while preserving overall program safeguards. According to coalition advocates, the designation would help employers maintain full crews, keep projects on schedule, support business growth, and create additional opportunities for year-round American workers.
For FEWA members and other seasonal employers, inclusion of this language in the House appropriations bill represents a significant step forward.
Additional amendments may be offered during the full committee markup process, making the coming weeks critical as Congress continues work on FY 2027 appropriations legislation.