The USCIS announced that the congressionally-mandated H-2B cap has been reached for the first six months of Fiscal Year 2007. It stated that November 28, 2006 is the ‘final receipt date’ for new H-2B worker petitions requesting employment start dates prior to April 1, 2007.” Petitions to extend H-2B status, amend the terms of H-2B status, change H-2B employers, or to request H-2B “returning worker” status are not subject to the cap. Please see the USCIS December 5, 2006, Press Release at the USCIS website.