HR4708-118

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the H–2 Improvements to Relieve Employers Act or the HIRE Act.

2. Streamline process for H–2A and H–2B for employers Section 218 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1188) is amended by adding at the end the following: A certification issued under this section shall be in effect for a period of 3 years. A petition filed under this section shall be valid for a period of 3 years. Section 214(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)) is amended by adding at the end the following: A petition filed on behalf of an alien to temporarily perform labor or services in the United States under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) shall be valid for a period of 3 years. A certification issued for the temporary employment of aliens performing labor or services under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) shall be in effect for a period of 3 years. (j)Duration (1)CertificationA certification issued under this section shall be in effect for a period of 3 years. (2)PetitionA petition filed under this section shall be valid for a period of 3 years.. (12) (A)A petition filed on behalf of an alien to temporarily perform labor or services in the United States under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) shall be valid for a period of 3 years. (B)A certification issued for the temporary employment of aliens performing labor or services under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) shall be in effect for a period of 3 years..

3. Streamline process for H–2A/H–2B returning workers Section 218 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1188), as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following: An in-person interview may be waived with respect to an alien who is seeking to renew status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) not more than 4 years after the expiration of such status. Section 214(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)) is amended by adding at the end the following: An in-person interview may be waived with respect to an alien who is seeking to renew status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) not more than 4 years after the expiration of such status. (k)Waiver of interviewAn in-person interview may be waived with respect to an alien who is seeking to renew status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) not more than 4 years after the expiration of such status.. (13)An in-person interview may be waived with respect to an alien who is seeking to renew status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) not more than 4 years after the expiration of such status..

4. Enhance Job Transparency The Secretary of Labor, at the request of an employer, shall publish, on the website of the Department of Labor, information on the amount of seasons during which such employer expects to have seasonal employment available, not to exceed 3 seasons.