Business
US to Add 30,000 Seasonal Worker Visas as Soon as This Week
Published
7 years agoon
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration plans to allow 30,000 more foreign workers temporarily into the United States for seasonal work through the end of September, a move that reflects how the booming economy has complicated President Donald Trump’s efforts to restrict legal immigration.
Details of the plan were in a draft rule obtained by The Associated Press. It would benefit oyster shucking companies, fisheries, loggers and seasonal hotels, including Trump’s own Mar-a-Lago club — all of which use the visas to hire migrants for temporary work they say Americans won’t do.
The visas, known as H-2Bs, will be granted only to returning foreign workers who have had the visa before, over the last three fiscal years. Many of the visa holders return to the same employers year after year. Those workers have already been vetted and are trusted and not likely to stay past their visa, officials said.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin taking applications from employers on behalf of the workers once the temporary rule is published in the Federal Register, expected on Wednesday.
The strong economy has made it increasingly difficult for employers to find labor, and the number of seasonal visas has been capped at 66,000 per fiscal year — a figure some businesses and lawmakers say is badly outdated, especially when the unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in 49 years.
Employers have argued that they desperately need more labor, pitting businesses against those both inside and outside of the White House who say the visas take away American jobs. Trump has also benefited personally from both seasonal workers and people working in the country illegally at his golf clubs.
Within the White House, there are some, like adviser Stephen Miller, who seek to restrict legal immigration, including reducing visas for high-skilled workers and suspending or limiting entry to the U.S. for individuals from countries with high rates of short-term visa overstays.
Meanwhile, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner has been working on his own immigration overhaul package for months, meeting with lawmakers and interest groups, trying to put together legal immigration and border security changes that Republicans can rally around heading into the 2020 presidential election.
Trump had once railed against legal immigration, arguing — despite conflicting evidence — that foreigners hurt American workers by competing for jobs and driving down wages. But Trump has recently changed his tune, saying he’s now in favor of more legal immigration because of economic gains on his watch.
Trump announced the change during his State of the Union speech, when he said he wanted people “to come into our country in the largest numbers ever, but they have to come in legally.”
The debate has played out in Congress, too, with two bipartisan groups sending letters to Homeland Security, one urging an increase in the number of temporary visas and one expressing concern over a possible increase.
Homeland Security and Labor Department officials said the decision to allocate the visas was based in part on the fact some businesses could face irreparable harm if they can’t employ the workers. The two departments have jointly decided to raise the cap during the past two fiscal years, but it was only 15,000 more in those years.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan said Monday the additional visas were a temporary fix.
“The Department of Homeland Security continues to urge lawmakers to pursue a long-term legislative fix that both meets employers’ temporary needs while fulfilling the president’s Buy American and Hire American executive order to spur higher wages and employment rates for U.S. workers,” McAleenan said.
According to the most recent data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on visa approvals, half of the visas went to horticultural and agricultural workers. Food service, forestry and logging work and fisheries, hunter trappers made up the bulk of the rest of the 2017 visas.
Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a Republican, and independent Angus King of Maine, along with Reps. Andy Harris, R-Md., and Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, and about 25 other bipartisan lawmakers in the House and Senate, sent a letter to Homeland Security this year saying they were working on a solution for the visa cap, but until then the increase was badly needed.
But a separate group of bipartisan senators, including Democrat Dick Durbin of Illinois and Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley, wrote last month they were concerned the visas enabled worker exploitation and fostered human trafficking and debt bondage because of the fees associated with the visas.
“Americans working alongside H-2B visa holders can find it difficult to compel employers to abide by federal and state labor and employment laws,” the senators wrote.
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Business
Hola at the Park Set for Oct. 3 in Altamonte Springs; Admission Free
Published
2 days agoon
October 1, 2026Florida National News and FNN News en Español will provide on-site coverage of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Cranes Roost Park.
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (FNN) — Hola at the Park will bring Hispanic culture, local businesses and live entertainment to Cranes Roost Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 2 to 6 p.m.
Hosted by the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and presented by AdventHealth, the event celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month through food, entertainment, entrepreneurship and community connections.
According to the chamber’s event announcement, admission is free, the celebration is open to the community and no registration is required.
FNN to Spotlight Businesses and Community Voices
Florida National News and FNN News en Español, official media sponsors, will be on location covering the festivities.
The FNN team will spotlight chamber representatives, sponsors, participating businesses and community leaders, while sharing attendees’ perspectives throughout the afternoon.
Coverage will highlight the people, businesses and cultural traditions contributing to the celebration.
Food, Entertainment and Family Activities
The chamber’s announcement lists authentic cuisine, live entertainment, local businesses, wellness experiences, community resources, networking and family-friendly activities among the event’s offerings.
Attendees will have opportunities to explore Hispanic traditions, connect with entrepreneurs and learn about organizations serving Central Florida.
A Waterfront Setting in Uptown Altamonte
Cranes Roost Park, located in Uptown Altamonte, features a waterfront setting with scenic walkways around Cranes Roost Lake and the Eddie Rose Amphitheater and floating stage.
The park will serve as the gathering place for an afternoon celebrating Hispanic heritage and the connections between culture, business and community.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
- Time: 2–6 p.m. EDT
- Location: Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs
- Host: Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando
- Presenting sponsor: AdventHealth
- Admission: Free and open to the community
- Registration: Not required
Vendor Inquiries
For information about vendor opportunities, contact the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando at info@hispanicchamber.com or events@hispanicchamber.com.
Business
ALDI to Launch Seven Ready-Made Meals in October, With Single-Serve Dishes Under $8
Published
4 days agoon
September 29, 2026The refrigerated lineup includes five single-serve dishes and two family-size meals.
BATAVIA, Ill. (FNN) — ALDI will begin rolling out seven ready-made meals in select stores in early October, with single-serve dishes priced under $8 and family-size options under $15. The grocer expects the full lineup to be available nationwide by January 2027.
The collection includes five single-serve meals: beef Bolognese spaghetti, beef brisket with white mac and cheese, butter chicken and rice, a chicken burrito bowl, and chicken fettuccine Alfredo. The two family-size dishes are chicken and bacon mac and cheese and a meat lovers pizza bake.
“Our shoppers are looking for meals that fit into busy lives,” said Joan Kavanaugh, vice president of national buying for ALDI U.S. She said the company developed the lineup with shoppers’ budgets and demand for convenient meals in mind.
Price and preparation
ALDI said the single-serve meals contain 30 to 46 grams of protein each. The family-size dishes contain 16 to 22 grams per serving. The company announced price limits for the two sizes but did not list a price for each individual meal.
“We tested hundreds of recipes as we developed this collection,” said Terry Jackson, head of food at Kitchen Food Company, ALDI’s supplier for the meals. Jackson said the team focused on flavor and ingredients while developing the dishes.
The meals are refrigerated, not frozen. ALDI says the single-serve dishes can be heated in a microwave, while the family-size meals are prepared in an oven. Shoppers should follow the directions on each package.
2026 Hispanic Chamber Hola at the Park. Uptown Altamonte Springs, Florida at beautiful Cranes Roost Park Saturday, October 3, 2026 (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM) (EDT)
When and where to find them
The meals will be stocked in the refrigerated meals section near the front of ALDI stores. Availability will vary during the rollout, which begins in select markets in early October and expands through the fall. ALDI also plans to offer additional meals through its limited-time ALDI Finds assortment each month over the following year. corporate.aldi.us
Business
Addition Financial, Rosen Preschools Partner to Expand Financial Literacy for Central Florida Children
Published
2 weeks agoon
September 22, 2026Now in its fourth year, ADDing FUNdamentals introduces children as young as 4 to saving, needs versus wants and other basic money concepts through classroom activities and take-home resources.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Addition Financial Credit Union is expanding its ADDing FUNdamentals community impact program through a new partnership with Rosen Preschools, bringing financial literacy education to children as young as 4 while providing resources designed to extend those lessons into their homes.
Now in its fourth year, ADDing FUNdamentals introduces preschool-aged children to basic money-management concepts through interactive, age-appropriate learning experiences.
Developed through a partnership with Junior Achievement of Central Florida and the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, the program uses Junior Achievement’s JA Ourselves curriculum to teach children foundational concepts including making choices, distinguishing needs from wants and saving money.
Rosen Preschools is participating in the program for the first time, expanding the initiative’s reach to more children and families in Central Florida.
Addition Financial Credit Union, Rosen Preschools and community partners celebrate the expansion of the ADDing FUNdamentals financial literacy program, which introduces preschool-aged children to basic money-management concepts through hands-on learning and imaginative play.
Financial Lessons Extend Beyond the Classroom
As part of the initiative, volunteers from Addition Financial, Junior Achievement and Rosen Hotels & Resorts assembled backpacks filled with educational resources designed to help children follow along with classroom lessons and continue learning at home with their families.
A portion of the backpacks will be distributed to Rosen Tangelo Park Preschool and Rosen Preschool in Parramore.
Addition Financial is also providing playhouses modeled after miniature credit unions, giving students an opportunity to practice basic money-management concepts through imaginative play.
The combination of classroom instruction, hands-on activities and take-home materials is designed to reinforce financial concepts while encouraging families to continue conversations about money outside the classroom.
Rosen CEO: Financial Literacy Is a Critical Life Skill
Frank Santos, president and CEO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, said his professional background in finance has made financial literacy an issue he strongly supports.
“We are very proud to partner with Addition Financial to bring the ADDing FUNdamentals program to the Rosen Preschools,” Santos said. “Having spent a majority of my career in finance, I am a big advocate for financial literacy.”
Santos called financial literacy a critical life skill and said introducing foundational lessons early, while also sending educational materials home to families, can help prepare children for long-term success.
Addition Financial Focuses on Starting Financial Education Early
Kevin Dougherty, chief operations officer at Addition Financial Credit Union, said the partnership with Rosen expands the program’s ability to introduce financial concepts during children’s formative years.
“We are incredibly grateful to have an organization of Rosen’s caliber become a part of the ADDing FUNdamentals program,” Dougherty said. “The students at Rosen Preschools will now get a jump start on developing key skills many of us take for granted — understanding and managing money.”
Dougherty said the response to the program since its launch demonstrates interest in providing financial education at an early age.
“The positive response and success we’ve seen since launching the program speaks to the need of fostering financial education at an early age,” Dougherty said.

Building Financial Skills Through Community Partnerships
The collaboration brings together a credit union, hospitality organization and education-focused community partners around a shared effort to introduce financial concepts to children early in life.
Rather than limiting the experience to classroom instruction, ADDing FUNdamentals combines curriculum, interactive play and educational materials that children can take home and share with their families.
The addition of Rosen Preschools in the program’s fourth year further expands its presence in Central Florida and brings the financial literacy initiative into the Tangelo Park and Parramore communities.
Through lessons on saving, choices and needs versus wants, participating children receive an early introduction to concepts they will encounter throughout their lives.
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