Philippines added to the list of countries eligible to participate in the H-2B visa program
DHS Announces Countries Eligible for
H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs
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Release Date: 01/12/2021
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), have announced the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in 2021. The notice listing the eligible countries will be published in the Federal Register on Jan. 13, 2021.
For 2021, the acting secretary of homeland security and the secretary of state have agreed to:
- Add the Philippines to the list of countries eligible to participate in the H-2B program;
- No longer designate the Independent State of Samoa and Tonga as eligible countries because they no longer meet the regulatory standards for the H-2A and H-2B visa programs; and
- No longer designate Mongolia as an eligible country for the H-2A visa program because it no longer meets the regulatory standards for that program.
DHS maintains its authority to add countries to the eligible countries list at any time, and to remove any country at the time it publishes a new list, should DHS and DOS determine that a country fails to meet the requirements for continued designation. Examples of factors that could result in the exclusion of a country or the removal of a country from the list include fraud, abuse, denial rates, overstay rates, human trafficking concerns, and other forms of noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the H-2 visa programs by nationals of that country that are contrary to U.S. interest.
The H-2A and H-2B visa programs allow U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural and nonagricultural jobs, respectively. Typically, USCIS approves H-2A and H-2B petitions only for nationals of countries that the secretary of Homeland Security has designated as eligible to participate in the programs. However, USCIS may approve H-2A and H-2B petitions, including those that were pending as of the date of the Federal Register notice, for nationals of countries not on the list on a case-by-case basis only if doing so is determined to be in the interest of the United States based on submitted evidence.
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The U.S. Small Business Administration released updates
on programs to support Small Businesses. Learn more:
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SBA, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for First Draw PPP Loans the week of January 11, 2021. SBA will begin accepting applications for Second Draw PPP Loans on January 13, 2021. Learn more here.
SBA Deadline for EID Loans
SBA announced that the deadline to apply for a COVID-19 pandemic Economic Injury Disaster Loan has been extended to December 31, 2021. Click to apply on line
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SBA Launches New, Free Online Digital Learning Platform |
Ascent is a joint initiative between the White House, the SBA, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Designed to support women entrepreneurs looking to remain resilient in their operations, Ascent is packed with content and resources from each agency and backed by academic research.
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2021 State of American Business
by the U.S. Chamber
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Our country has been challenged in ways few could have planned for—or even imagined. From our public health, to our economy, to our politics, the road to recovery starts with healing a divided America. Join us as we rally our nation around a series of solutions to overcome the pandemic, drive a widespread economic recovery, and build back stronger for the future.
Innovating and Adapting for the Future
The pandemic has driven innovation across industries. At the State of American Business event today Chamber President Suzanne Clark talked with business leaders about what lessons will linger post-pandemic. Watch
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The Chamber continues to receive phone calls and inquiries regarding the newly enacted plastic bag ban law. Please feel free to share the information below:
Public Law 35-130 is now enacted. Alternative sources need to be sourced and adopted as Guam phases out the use of plastic bags and paper bags for most retail and all wholesale establishments.
PLASTIC BAG BAN EXEMPTIONS:
- A bag for use in a retail or wholesale establishment to package bulk items such as fruits, vegetable, nuts, grains, candy, meats, poultry, or fish.
- A bag provided to consumers for use in a retail or whole establishment to package small hardware items.
- A bag to contain or wrap flowers, potted plants, or other items where dampness may be a problem.
- A bag to contain non-prepackaged food items or bakery goods.
- A bag provided by a pharmacy to carry prescription drugs.
- A bag used for newspapers
- A bag used for laundry dry-cleaning.
- Bags sold in packages containing multiple bags intended for garbage, pet waste, or yard waste.
- A bag used to package and secure fragile merchandise
- A bag used to help isolate frozen items
- A reusable carry-out bag
REMINDERS:
January 1, 2021: Non-biodegradable plastic carry out bags are banned.
January 1, 2022: All plastic carry out bags are banned.
July 1, 2022: Paper carry-out bags are banned unless you are a food service establishment.
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COVID-19 Business Reminders |
We are pleased to provide you with tools to help you and your business as you get your place of work ready for your employees and your customers. Some of you may have everything you need and others are still looking for guidance. Take what you need and pass along to other businesses that could use this assistance. Lets help one another get our economy back up and running safely.
A kind reminder to all businesses that have not been monitoring your contact tracing efforts: DPHSS has contacted the Guam Chamber to remind companies operating in PCOR 1 that their staff does review contact tracing information and is requesting that all companies operating in PCOR 1 must keep up with these protocols. Businesses are asked to keep a log of visitor/customer name and contact information.
Note: Your Chamber's website also has COVID-19 information and downloadable guidelines:
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Feel free to print and use the signage below at your place of work and add your logos as well!
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December 31, 2020
Extension of Amended Hours of Operations for the Division of Environmental Health’s Processing Center Section effective January 4, 2021 - January 31, 2021.
The Director of the Department of Public Health and Social Services would like to inform the public of the extension of the amended hours of operation for the Division of Environmental Health’s Processing Center Section (PCS), which issues Health Certificates, Sanitary Permits, Disinterment/Reinterment clearances, and Guam Controlled Substances Registrations.
The extension of the amended hours of operation will be in effect from January 4, 2021 – January 31, 2021. During this time, PCS will be open from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Monday through Friday, except observed Government of Guam holidays. The continued extension is necessary to address urgent assignments related to the Department’s COVID-19 response activities such as testing and vaccination distribution. All scheduled training courses will continue to take place and is not affected by this amended schedule.
Regular office hours will resume on Monday, February 1, 2021 as follows: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, except on Government of Guam holidays.
For further information, or questions, please contact PCS at 300-9579.
ARTHUR U. SAN AGUSTIN, MHR
Director
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Guam Chamber of Commerce • 472-6311/ 8001 • info@GuamChamber.com.gu |
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