/>iDue to the continuation of the COVID-19 national emergency, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has decided to continue its temporary loosening of H-2A rules to make it easier to employ temporary, seasonal agricultural workers.
Under the rule:
- Employers can continue to petition to employ foreign workers who are already in the U.S. in H-2A status but who are working for a different employer;
- Employees will be able to start working for the new employer once the petition has been received by USCIS (but no earlier than the start date on the petition); and
- Employees will have work authorization for 45 days while the case is pending.
Previously, DHS also allowed workers to remain in the U.S. beyond the usual three-year limit, but that piece of flexibility has been eliminated from the rule extension.
For I-9 purposes, employees may present as List A documentation:
- An unexpired I-94 showing H-2A status; and
- An unexpired foreign passport.
In the Additional Information field, employers should indicate:
- “45 Day Extension”; and
- The date the I-129 was submitted.
Reverification will be required by the end of the 45-day period.
