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H.R. 3897: H–2B Returning Worker Exception Act of 2021

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H.R. 3897: H–2B Returning Worker Exception Act of 2021

117th Congress · introduced 2021-06-15 · Immigration · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2021-06-15 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

H–2B Returning Worker Exception Act of 2021

Plain summary

H-2B Returning Worker Exception Act of 2021 This bill modifies the H-2B (temporary nonagricultural workers) nonimmigrant visa program, including by exempting certain workers from an annual numerical limit on such visas and requiring civil penalties for program violations. Under this bill, if a worker seeking a H-2B visa has been counted toward the 66,000 annual cap on such visas in one of the three preceding fiscal years, that worker shall not be counted against the cap again. Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must impose a civil monetary penalty on an employer for (1) failing to meet requirements related to an H-2B visa petition, or (2) making a willful misrepresentation of material fact in such a petition. DHS must also ensure the establishment of an electronic platform (1) for employers to submit and request approval of an H-2B petition, and (2) to act as a single point of access for applicants and the relevant government agencies. The Department of Labor must maintain a publicly available online database of all job orders by H-2B employers. Furthermore, Labor may take certain actions to enforce program requirements, such as imposing penalties and seeking injunctions. The bill provides statutory authority for the current practice of limiting the program to workers who are nationals of countries approved by DHS. DHS may make exceptions to this limitation in individual cases if it is in the U.S. interest to do so. DHS shall select approved countries based on various factors, such as the rate of overstay by H-2B visa holders from each country.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

H–2B Returning Worker Exception Act of 2021

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28] · 92 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

David P. Joyce (R-OH), William R. Keating (D-MA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Andy Harris (R-MD), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Blake D. Moore (R-UT), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Jack Bergman (R-MI), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), John H. Rutherford (R-FL), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Haley M. Stevens (D-MI), David Rouzer (R-NC), Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA), Julia Letlow (R-LA), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Peter Welch (D-VT), Troy Balderson (R-OH), John W. Rose (R-TN), Robert J. Wittman (R-VA), Frank D. Lucas (R-OK), Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Burgess Owens (R-UT), Michael K. Simpson (R-ID), Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Gregory F. Murphy (R-NC), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and 32 more.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28] reported raising $3.0 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (4)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Fiscal year
The 12-month period a government uses for its budget. The federal fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30 and is named for the calendar year in which it ends. Most states use July 1 to June 30.
Securities
Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.
Statute
A written law passed by a legislature. A statute can be changed by a later law; changing a constitution needs an amendment.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong117-hr3897 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117