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Haitians (And Others) Are Blocked From Getting Certain Work Visas

The Department of Homeland Security removed Haiti, Belize and Samoa from its lists of countries eligible for H-2A and H-2B visas.

By: Lindsey Pulse

Posted at 11:48 AM, Jan 18, 2018

Starting now, Haitians will no longer be eligible for certain temporary visas to work in the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security removed Haiti, Belize and Samoa from its lists of countries eligible for H-2A and H-2B visas. Those visas are given out for seasonal or temporary jobs.

The department cited a "high rate of overstaying" and other factors for its decision on Haiti.

Outlets report anywhere between a few dozen and a few hundred Haitians work under the H-2 visas every year.

The news comes in the wake of DHS deciding to end the Temporary Protected Status designation for Haiti, which allowed tens of thousands of the country's citizens to live in the U.S. after Haiti's massive earthquake in 2010.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.