Mexico - U.S. Labor Mobility Dialogue

June 24, 2022

Institutional Context

Historically, Mexico and the United States have strived to regulate and facilitate bilateral labor mobility, and have faced regulatory and political challenges. As a result, a complex and irregular labor market exists between both nations. During the past couple of years, attention from both governments has focused on the regional dimension of immigration.

There are two types of visas that apply to labor mobility: H-2A and H-2B . The first category has no limits and depends on alliances with the private sector. The second category is limited by Congress, according to the Immigration Reform and Control Law, and allows the issue of 66,000 visas per year.

During 2022, the United States Department of Labor has granted 193,303 H-2A visas, and 59,119 H-2B visas. The total of H-2B visas issued for Mexican temporary workers so far amounts to 252,422. In addition, a total of 55,000 H-2B visas have been authorized, of which 18,000 are intended for citizens of Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, totaling 307,422.

Mexico - U.S. Labor Mobility Dialogue

In preparation for the Mexico - U.S. presidential meeting to take place in July in Washington, D.C., the bilateral group on Migration, Labor Mobility and Development met on June 24th, 2020. Authorities from both nations discussed next steps to expand the figures of the H-2A and H-2B visas that the U.S. grants to workers in Mexico (agricultural sector) and Central America (other types of industries such as construction and services, among others). In addition, Mexico and the United States explore policies to strengthen the labor rights of Mexican people, as well as for the protection of minors in mobility situations.