Federal cap on temporary workers squeezes employers in Hyannis, Mass.

By Ethan Zindler, Cape Cod Times, Hyannis, Mass. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Jan. 5--For the second time in 10 months, federal authorities have enforced a cap on the number of temporary workers allowed in the country using H-2b visas.

The move will force dozens, perhaps hundreds, of Cape employers who rely on foreign workers during the summer to seek help elsewhere.

"Did we anticipate it would happen this quickly? I would say no," said Chris Bentley, a spokesman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the sub-agency of the Department of Homeland Security charged with enforcing the nation's immigration policies.

In a typical year, 500 local businesses bring 5,000 to 6,000 H-2b workers to the region to fill busboy, cook, chambermaid, and other hospitality sector jobs. …