The Devon Yacht Club in Amagansett, a private club on the Hamptons waterfront, has resumed its food service operations after a temporary closure necessitated by issues with its foreign kitchen staff's H-2B temporary work visas.
Food service was reinstated on Wednesday after the majority of the impacted kitchen staff returned to the United States with approved visas. The club had suspended dining on August 26 due to the absence of eight staff members. General Manager John R. Newman confirmed that the visa approvals were received late Friday, allowing for the return of the staff who have been associated with the club for years.
Newman clarified that the situation was a "visa processing matter" and not a result of immigration enforcement actions. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security also stated that neither Customs and Border Protection nor Immigration and Customs Enforcement were involved in the incident.
The club, which reportedly has initiation fees around $100,000, sent a letter to its members on August 26 attributing the issue to an "oversight either by the agent or attorney responsible for submitting our petition or perhaps by the US Immigration Office itself." The H-2B visa is designated for temporary, non-agricultural seasonal workers.
Founded in 1908 by the Procter and Lever families, the Devon Yacht Club is situated in a region that has been home to notable figures and is known for its exclusivity among those interested in yachting.
After a brief pause on Monday and Tuesday this week to allow the kitchen team to settle back in, the club announced it was "back at full strength as we close out a great summer season."