CSE Call to Action

Background‍
The next several weeks are critical for seasonal employers who depend on the H-2B program. The Certified Seasonal Employer Designation is working its way through the FY27 DHS Appropriations process, and it is essential that this language is included in the baseline bill before the House releases its text later this month or in early June. Once language is included in a baseline bill, it is significantly harder to remove than it would be as a standalone amendment, which is why this window matters so much. This language has the support of President Trump and the White House, who originally requested its inclusion in the January minibus before it was stripped out at the last minute due to demands from Senate Judiciary Democrats.

About Seasonal Employer Designation
The Certified Seasonal Employer Designation is a landmark development for long-time H-2B program users. It allows employers who have demonstrated a consistent history of compliance, specifically those who have received labor certification in each of the last five years, to have the highest number of workers they were certified for during that period permanently exempted from the annual H-2B cap. In short, it rewards the employers who have followed the rules, filed correctly, and participated in the program year after year with the workforce certainty they have earned.At LCI, we have worked alongside SEA and advocated for this kind of meaningful, long-term program reform for our clients. This designation is exactly the type of structural change that makes the H-2B program more dependable, more equitable, and more viable for the businesses that rely on it most.

DIRECTIONS:
Enter your zip code or City, State here to determine who your Representatives are — your House member and two Senators. Search the spreadsheet below to determine which staffers to email. If multiple staffers are listed for your member, include each staffer on the email. Use the templates below to email the staffer for your House member and both of your Senators.

House Ask‍
Ask that party leadership and DHS Appropriations Chair Mark Amodei and Ranking Member Henry Cuellar include the CSE Designation language in the FY27 DHS Appropriations baseline bill or the floated DHS reconciliation bill.

Dear [Staffer Name],

My name is [Name] and I am the [Title] of [Business Name] located in [City, State]. I am reaching out to ask for Congressman [Name] to speak with DHS Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Mark Amodei and/or Ranking Member Henry Cuellar to request the inclusion of the H-2B CSE language in the FY27 DHS Appropriations baseline bill. This language would allow long-time, compliant users of the H-2B program (5 year program participation) to have the highest number of DOL certified workers in 1 of the last 5 years exempted from the cap. This language would give employers who have followed the law some much needed certainty, especially since we are now competing with employers who previously hired illegal aliens and are now entering the H-2B program. The White House is fully supportive of its inclusion and made this commitment to Congressman Harris. It was President Trump who personally directed the release of the full 64,716 additional H-2B visas for 2026 in January.A recent Unleash Prosperity Now survey showed that 58% of seasonal business respondents expect their H-2B workers to arrive more than a month late, with over 30% expecting their workers to arrive 2 months late. Over 40% of these operations, who already have a small window to achieve their goals, are now reporting that there is no way to be profitable this year. This has resulted in a severe economic impact to seasonal employers, particularly in the tourism/hospitality, landscaping, outdoor amusement, and seafood processing industries.
‍
Thank you for your consideration and support!

Senate Ask:
Ask that party leadership, Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, and DHS Appropriations Chair Katie Britt include the CSE Designation language in the FY27 DHS Appropriations baseline bill or the floated DHS reconciliation bill.

Dear [Staffer Name],
‍
My name is [Name] and I am the [Title] of [Business Name] located in [City, State]. I am reaching out to ask for Senator [Name] to speak with DHS Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Katie Britt and/or Ranking Member Chris Murphy to request the inclusion of the H-2B CSE language in the FY27 DHS Appropriations baseline bill. This language would allow long-time, compliant users of the H-2B program (5 year program participation) to have the highest number of DOL certified workers in 1 of the last 5 years exempted from the cap. This language would give employers who have followed the law some much needed certainty, especially since we are now competing with employers who previously hired illegal aliens and are now entering the H-2B program. The White House is fully supportive of its inclusion and made this commitment to Congressman Harris. It was President Trump who personally directed the release of the full 64,716 additional H-2B visas for 2026 in January.A recent Unleash Prosperity Now survey showed that 58% of seasonal business respondents expect their H-2B workers to arrive more than a month late, with over 30% expecting their workers to arrive 2 months late. Over 40% of these operations, who already have a small window to achieve their goals, are now reporting that there is no way to be profitable this year. This has resulted in a severe economic impact to seasonal employers, particularly in the tourism/hospitality, landscaping, outdoor amusement, and seafood processing industries.
‍
Thank you for your consideration and support!

‍