On April 19, members of FWD.us, a lobbying group focused on immigration reform, and the Colorado Business Roundtable hosted a roundtable discussion with Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) on the campus of the University of Denver. Among those invited to attend were Denver-area businesses who use and are impacted by legislation regarding H-2A, H-1B and H-2B work visa programs. Because of my advocacy efforts with DeGette’s office through the GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador program, I was asked to attend as a representative of the golf course management industry, which relies heavily upon H-2B employees. Topics discussed at the meeting included current legislation, the extent to which various industries are being affected by said legislation, and further measures that needed to ensure the long-term success and reliability of these seasonal labor programs.

DeGette shared what she and her colleagues on Capitol Hill are doing in the fight for common sense reform of such programs -- reform aimed at safeguarding their legitimacy without putting undue burden on small businesses that depend on seasonal workers. I had the opportunity to speak her staff members that I have become acquainted with over the past year. As I attend more of these events, I’m getting more people to realize how the golf industry needs H-2B. Most recognize that food and beverage, tourism and other seasonal industries rely on it, but I have had many people say to me, “It never dawned on me that people in your profession would use something like this, but it makes absolute sense now that I think about it.” If I can get even one person at each meeting to become aware of this, I consider it a win.

Mitch Savage
GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador