The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) included Filipinos among those who would not be given H-2A and H-2B work visas for one year.
According to DHS, the imposition of the one-year ban for Filipinos, as well as Ethiopia and the Dominican Republic nationals, was due to the high number of expats overstaying using the H-2A and H-2B visas.
“The Philippines has a high H-2B overstay rate. In FY 2017, DHS estimated that nearly 40 percent of H-2B visa holders from the Philippines overstayed their period of authorized stay,” the DHS notice read.
Another reason cited by DHS was human trafficking concerns saying that the US Embassy Manila issued the “greatest number of T-derivative visas, which are reserved for certain family members of principal T-1 non-immigrants (certain victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons).”
“DHS and DOS (Department of State) are concerned about the high volume of trafficking victims from the Philippines who were originally issued H-2B visas and the potential that continued H-2B visa issuance may encourage or serve as an avenue for future human trafficking from the Philippines,” the DHS said.
Due to the this, the DHS also banned Filipinos from being issued H-2A visas as well.
“The Philippines’ continued inclusion creates the potential for abuse, fraud, and other harm to the integrity of the H-2A or H-2B visa programs,” DHS noted.
H-2A visas are issued to foreign agricultural workers in the US, while H-2B visas are issued to foreign non-agriculture workers.
The ban will run until January 18, 2020.
DFA reminds Filipinos abroad to follow immigration rules
Following the announcement of the ban, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reminded Filipinos abroad, particularly those in the United States, to follow immigration rules and avoid staying beyond what is allowed in their visas.
DFA added that the Philippines is open to the possibility of working with the United States in addressing the issues.
The foreign affairs department added that the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., along with the other Philippine Consulates General in the U.S., will continue to extend appropriate assistance to all its nationals pursuant to law.
