Opportunities for Horse Racing Industry Workers to Obtain Green Cards

SOURCE www.npr.org
Workers in the horse-racing industry with H-2B visas now have more opportunities to apply for green cards, providing stability and benefits for both employers and employees. The process has become easier under a Biden-era rule, allowing workers to seek permanent residency without risking their visa status.

Key Points

  • Regulatory change under the Biden-era rule allows workers with H-2B visas to apply for green cards without risking visa status
  • Employers exploring green card option for stability in workforce amid changes in immigration policies
  • Trainers value the same workers grooming, walking, and training horses for consistency

Pros

  • More stability for workers in the horse-racing industry
  • Employers have more certainty about keeping prized employees
  • Workers can take on more diverse tasks and responsibilities

Cons

  • Expensive upfront costs for employers to sponsor green cards
  • Lengthy process taking up to 5 years
  • Risk of workers leaving once they have a green card