USCIS to Grant One-Time Accommodation for Sheepherders in H-2A Status
Hiring of foreign nationals for skilled labor in agricultural and farm needs dates back to history in the U.S. Sheepherding demands around the clock work and not many U.S nationals were ready to take it up as an occupation. Growing need for sheepherders called for importing trained foreign nationals as sheepherders. Earlier in 1950s, three laws were enforced by congress, which approved entry of the other nationals for permanent employment as sheepherders, speedy visa issuance, and permanent residence in the U.S.
Later, numerous allegations arose concerning the foreign national sheepherders who quit the sheepherding in a short while and started finding jobs in other industries. Further investigations by the House Judiciary Committee corroborated that the animal husbandry industry had not gained much from the other national sheepherding recruits as expected. The special legislations in favor of the foreign national sheepherders came to an end. They were classified as the H-2 temporary workers under the Immigration and National Act as per which the sheepherders were allowed to seasonal stay only. H2-A visa program enabled the agricultural employers to bring foreign nationals as H2-A sheepherders to work in the U.S. for a short period on a contract basis.
Later in January 2010, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Grants One announced the one time accommodation for sheepherders, which extends the H2-A shepherds transitory period to a maximum of three years. This came into vogue from January 17, 2010. The tenure of foreign nationals as sheepherders before the announcement would not be taken into account the three year period. The H2-A sheepherders are to depart from the U.S. after completion of three years, for a period of three months. This departure is a necessary for the sheepherder to become once again be acknowledged for the H2-A status.