H-2B Visa Cutbacks Force Amusement Company to Cancel FallFest Due to Staffing Shortfall

NewsData.io · United States · Aug 3, 2026

Rockwell Amusements, a Rhode Island-based amusement ride operator, has been unable to staff adequately this season after federal reductions in H-2B visa issuances cut its workforce from roughly 120 to 76 employees. The shortfall forced the cancellation of the Misquamicut Business Association's annual FallFest event and required the company to scale back rides at other booked fairs. Owner Harold Fera, a 50-year industry veteran, cited H-2B visa restrictions as the direct cause, noting the issue is affecting employers across multiple industries. The case illustrates how federal visa policy is translating into concrete operational failures for seasonal, non-agricultural employers dependent on temporary foreign labor.