The Devon Yacht Club in Amagansett, known for its exclusivity, has resumed food service after a temporary closure due to visa issues affecting its foreign kitchen staff. The service restarted on Wednesday after the chefs returned to the U.S. with approved visas, as confirmed by the club's general manager, John R. Newman.
The closure occurred after several staff members were required to leave the country for a two-month period due to complications with their H-2B temporary work visas. Newman stated that the visa approvals were received late Friday, allowing most of the original staff to return. He emphasized that the situation was a visa processing issue and not an enforcement matter, noting that Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not intervene.
A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security also confirmed that neither Customs and Border Protection nor Immigration and Customs Enforcement were involved in the incident. The yacht club, which charges initiation fees around $100,000, had to cancel food service for several days due to the loss of kitchen staff. Eight staff members were affected, although it remains unclear how many visas are still pending.
Newman expressed uncertainty about the cause of the delays in visa processing, stating, "We do not know why it took so long, where the mistake was made or how it was made, or even if a mistake was made." The club's food service has now returned to full operation as it concludes the summer season. In a letter to members, the club indicated that the issue may have stemmed from an oversight by the agent or attorney responsible for submitting the visa petition or by the U.S. Immigration Office. The H-2B visa is a temporary work visa for seasonal hires outside of the agriculture sector. Founded in 1908, the Devon Yacht Club has a history of catering to affluent individuals and is located in the Devon Colony area, which has hosted notable figures such as Paul McCartney and Alec Baldwin.