At M.J. Design Associates, we have long relied on the H2B visa program to help supplement our workforce with dedicated and skilled seasonal workers from Mexico. These workers, who come to the United States legally, are an essential part of our team, especially in the landscaping industry where it’s challenging to find American workers willing to do landscape labor.
What Are H2B Visas?
The H2B visa program allows foreign workers to legally come to the U.S. to perform temporary seasonal work, generally for up to 10 months. Workers on these visas are required to have a Social Security number, contribute to the U.S. system, and pay taxes, just like all American workers. This program has been crucial for us, as it helps fill labor gaps in areas where local workforce participation is low.
Why M.J. Relies on H2B Workers
Over the past 25 years, M.J. Design Associates has consistently applied for H2B visas to meet our labor needs. Due to the unique skill set and reliability of these workers, many of whom return year after year, we have been able to minimize the time spent on retraining and ensure high-quality service for our clients. These returning workers also help us vet additional recruits, often their children or relatives, who are interested in coming to the U.S. to work.
In recent years the demand for these visas far exceeds the number of visas available. Since this program started in 1986, there has only been 66,000 H2B visa available for the entire U.S. for a full year. There has been no increase even as the economy has grown. For the April 1st filing that we participate in, there are 33,000 available (half the supply). This year, 2025 there were roughly 4,900 companies filing application petitions for approximately 149,000 visas. That is an 8% increase from 2024. But most significantly a majority of those companies won’t get the workers they need. Department of Labor has gone to a random lottery with all the applications to assign order they will be processed. For 2025, our application was placed in Group G, the last group, which means we will be short 11 workers this year—almost half of our field staff.
The Labor Shortage and What It Means for M.J. Design Associates
While the debate around immigration policy often overshadows discussions about the H2B visa program, it’s important to note that these visas are not about immigration—they are about filling critical labor needs. We struggle to find U.S. workers who are interested in pursuing careers in landscape or outdoor work, and that’s where our international team comes in. Without these workers, we would face significant challenges in meeting our staffing needs.
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