H2B Solutions

[ferngolf]

Many of you have probably heard about the H2B Visa program by now, and like I had done, probably brushed it aside. *I had heard about the program and "was going to" look into more over the winter 5 years ago. *Well I ended up looking into it a lot sooner, and discoverd what a great program it is.
We were planting trees in a new development on a damp day. *One of our newer workers, he had been with us about 5 months was unloading them from the back of our truck into a skid steer bucket. *As he was getting the tree to the tailgate (regular street trees, 2-2.5 Cal.) one started to go over. *Being the good employee he was, he tried to stop it and couldn’t. *He went off the back of the truck, while still holding on to the tree, face first. *The ball of the tree landed on his back.
I got the panicked call from the skid steer operator who found him on the ground as he came back for more trees. *Our foreman on the job told me he was going to be airlifted out to the hospital. *I freaked out. *The weather was too cloudy for the helicopter so he went by ambulance. *I met them at the hospital, the EMT's didn’t have anything positive to say. *They brought me to the ambulance to show me why. *It was a mess. *Even the roof was covered in blood.
Anyway, after a very long day and a half the doctors told us he was going to be all right.
Here is where it gets interesting.
AIG, our workers comp. insurance folks interviewed me (after OSHA did a thorough inspection on everything and relieved us of any wrongdoing) about the accident. *I paid these good folks at AIG about $12,000 in premiums and the first words out of the examiners mouth were, "We are rejecting the claim, based on the fact that your employee is here illegally." *I nearly passed out. *I looked around at my wife, my kids (3) my business, everything, and knew some lawyer somewhere was going to come in ask for it all to pay medical bills, disability, etc. *I was panicked to say the least. *We had gotten the right documents from him, SS card, Alien Registration, etc. no sign of illegal entry. *
After about a week of depression and anxiety AIG finally agreed to pay the claim. *
In the meantime I had looked into the H2B program and discovered all of the merits. *The first year we did it we ran into some issues with the company we contracted with to represent us. *There were some headaches because they did not do the entire process for us. *But the guys came and worked out great. *That winter, they went back home and we did the paperwork ourselves. *We have been doing it in house for the last several years for ourselves and other companies (landscapers, roofers, seders, painters, restaurants, golf courses, etc). *As with our landscaping business, we bring the best service available in the industry to the H2B program. *Ours is a complete turnkey program. *YOU DO NOTHING ACCEPT SIGN THE PAPERS AND RETURN TO US IN THE FEDEX POUCH WE PROVIDE YOU WITH.
We handle recruiting, newspaper ads, Bureau of Homeland Security Forms, State Department of Labor Forms Etc. *We even go to the specific country, Mexico, Costa Rica, etc. to set up the appointment with the consulate, and are there for your employees as they go thru the interview process. *I believe we are the only provider to do that, and that is important, as your guys are fairly nervous as they go through the interview process.
If you have considered the H2B program in the past, or are considering it now, send me a message or give me a call at (908)966-0828 with any specific questions about the program. *I would be happy to help.
The program was shut down last year due to over subscription. *Too many people applied. *They only allow a certain amount of H2B Visas each year. *Now is the time submit your application, so that your workers can be here by the start of next season. *It is a long process, if you a going to do it, we suggest doing it now.
Once again, if you have any questions about the H2B program, or our service, please don’t hesitate to post them here, or contact me directly.
Thank you to the folks at Gopher Software for allowing me to start this thread.
Leon Fern
H2B Solutions Inc.

[Steve]

Hi ferngolf,

For others that might be interested in learning more can you tell us some basic.

What is an H2B program?

Who needs it?

Why do they need it?

How do they benefit from it?

[ferngolf]

Good questions. I have answered many of these questions from viewers of the forum who have called me directly.

The H2B visa is designated for individuals who will be employed in a nonagricultural position, which are seasonal, intermittent or a one time occurrence. Examples of qualifying positions include restaurant workers, janitors, resort workers, amusement park workers and landscape workers.

Spouses and children of H2B visa holders may enter and remain in the US in H4 status. H4 visa holders may attend school in the US but cannot accept employment.

We work in cooperation with US employers which are ready to employ H2B employees.

Who needs it?
Seasonal business owners who need labor.
US employers who are having a difficult time finding affordable domestic workers willing to do the kind of work we do. These workers can come to the US and work for your company for up to 10 months at a time. They then return home and are eligible to return multiple times.

Why do they need it?
It is difficult to find US workers who are willing to work in a seasonal capacity for the wages we can pay them. The program allows the employer to hire foreign workers who can come the US and obtain a drivers license, SS card, and open their own bank account.
· Your Laborers will be here LEGALLY for your seasonal need (up to 10 months each year.)
· Your Laborers will be able to obtain a permanent Social Security Number.
· Your Laborers will have a work permit and Social Security Number that requires they work for only your company. Upon expiration of permit or termination of employment they must return to their home country. They cannot work for any other company while they are here. THE VISA HAS YOUR COMPANY NAME ON IT, IF THEY GO WORK FOR ANOTHER COMPANY, THEY ARE REPORTED TO THE BCIS AND WILL NOW BE HERE ILLEGALLY AND NOT ELIGABLE FOR THE PROGRAM AGAIN.
· You choose your labor staff or we can recruit them for you.
· With issuance of multiple entry work permits, your laborers will have the ability to legally travel to and from their country during the visa period.
· You can request the same workers year after year. Reduces training costs.
· Supply for your peak season only.
· Workers will NOT be taking jobs away from Americans.

How do they benefit from it?
The program is relatively inexpensive, and priceless to those who have been fined for hiring illegals. These workers come from poor economic countries and are willing to work as long and hard as it takes to get the job done and done properly.

Sorry for the length, but as you can see there are a tremendous amount of benefits with the program. This is why the maximum number of visas was reached last year and many companies were shut out of the program. We are having all of our customers apply when the fiscal year starts in October. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call 908 966 0828.
Thanks again for your time.
Leon Fern
H2B Solutions, Inc.