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Save Our Seafood Act
4/17/2025, 3:08 AM
Summary of Bill S 1292
Bill 119 s 1292, also known as the "Fish Processor Exemption Act," is a piece of legislation that aims to permanently authorize the exemption of aliens working as fish processors from the numerical limitation on H-2B nonimmigrant visas.
The H-2B visa program allows employers in the United States to hire foreign workers for temporary non-agricultural jobs. However, there is a numerical cap on the number of visas that can be issued each year, which has caused issues for industries such as seafood processing that rely heavily on foreign labor.
This bill seeks to address this issue by permanently exempting aliens working as fish processors from the numerical limitation on H-2B visas. This would allow seafood processing companies to continue hiring foreign workers without being subject to the annual cap on visas. Supporters of the bill argue that this exemption is necessary to ensure that seafood processing companies have an adequate workforce to meet the demands of their industry. They also argue that foreign workers play a crucial role in filling labor shortages in this sector. Opponents of the bill may argue that it could potentially take away job opportunities from American workers and that the H-2B visa program should be reformed or eliminated altogether. Overall, Bill 119 s 1292 is a piece of legislation that seeks to address the unique needs of the seafood processing industry by permanently exempting aliens working as fish processors from the numerical limitation on H-2B visas.
The H-2B visa program allows employers in the United States to hire foreign workers for temporary non-agricultural jobs. However, there is a numerical cap on the number of visas that can be issued each year, which has caused issues for industries such as seafood processing that rely heavily on foreign labor.
This bill seeks to address this issue by permanently exempting aliens working as fish processors from the numerical limitation on H-2B visas. This would allow seafood processing companies to continue hiring foreign workers without being subject to the annual cap on visas. Supporters of the bill argue that this exemption is necessary to ensure that seafood processing companies have an adequate workforce to meet the demands of their industry. They also argue that foreign workers play a crucial role in filling labor shortages in this sector. Opponents of the bill may argue that it could potentially take away job opportunities from American workers and that the H-2B visa program should be reformed or eliminated altogether. Overall, Bill 119 s 1292 is a piece of legislation that seeks to address the unique needs of the seafood processing industry by permanently exempting aliens working as fish processors from the numerical limitation on H-2B visas.
Congressional Summary of S 1292
Save Our Seafood Act
This bill establishes that the annual numerical cap on temporary nonagricultural worker (H-2B) visas does not apply to fish processors.
Under current law, up to 66,000 H-2B visas may be issued in a year, with additional visas available to certain classes of workers who are exempt from this cap, including fish roe processors.
Read the Full Bill
Current Status of Bill S 1292
Bill S 1292 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since April 3, 2025. Bill S 1292 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the Senate on April 3, 2025. Bill S 1292's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. as of April 3, 2025
Bipartisan Support of Bill S 1292
Total Number of Sponsors
1Democrat Sponsors
0Republican Sponsors
1Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
7Democrat Cosponsors
4Republican Cosponsors
3Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 1292
Primary Policy Focus
Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 1292
A bill to permanently authorize the exemption of aliens working as fish processors from the numerical limitation on H-2B nonimmigrant visas.
A bill to permanently authorize the exemption of aliens working as fish processors from the numerical limitation on H-2B nonimmigrant visas.
Comments
Sponsors and Cosponsors of S 1292
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