Washington, D.C. – June 21, 2017 – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) President and CEO Katherine Lugar issued the following statement on the announcement today that Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly will commit to expanding the number of H-2B seasonal guest worker visas available this fiscal year, which help small and seasonal businesses to meet their peak season workforce demands.

“On behalf of many lodging businesses and resorts that rely on legal, highly vetted seasonal guest workers to meet their peak season workforce demands, we commend Secretary Kelly for recognizing the critical need to expand the number of H-2B visas for this year. So many cities and towns across the country rely on this program – especially during the summer travel season – when millions of Americans are vacationing with their families. We thank Secretary Kelly and Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta for taking this important action that will allow many small businesses to operate at full capacity.”

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About the American Hotel and Lodging Association

Serving the hospitality industry for more than a century, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the sole national association representing all segments of the 8 million jobs the U.S. lodging industry supports, including hotel owners, REITs, chains, franchisees, management companies, independent properties, bed and breakfasts, state hotel associations, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and educational resources for an industry that advances long-term career opportunities for employees, invests in local communities across the country and hosts more than one billion guests’ stays in American hotels every year. AHLA proudly represents a dynamic hotel industry of more than 54,000 properties that supports $1.1 trillion in U.S. sales and generates nearly $170 billion in taxes to local, state and federal governments. Learn more at www.AHLA.com.