The U.S. Department of Labor has launched 175 investigations into potential H-1B visa abuses, emphasizing a commitment to prioritizing American workers and holding employers accountable.
The U.S. Department of Labor has ramped up its efforts to address potential abuses of the H-1B visa program, confirming the initiation of 175 active investigations into suspected violations. This move underscores the agency’s commitment to prioritizing American workers and addressing longstanding issues within the program.
In a recent post on social media platform X, the Labor Department highlighted its determination to enforce regulations more stringently, stating that it will hold employers accountable for any misuse of the H-1B visa. “For decades, DC bureaucrats looked the other way as companies abused the H-1B visa and sold out the American Worker,” the department stated. “POTUS and Secretary LCD are bringing this to an end, holding employers accountable for their abuse and ensuring American jobs go to American workers.”
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has emphasized that safeguarding American workers is her top priority under President Donald Trump’s administration. She announced the launch of Project Firewall, an initiative designed to combat widespread H-1B visa misuse and ensure that U.S. workers are prioritized for available jobs. “That’s why we’re taking action through Project Firewall to hold companies accountable for rampant H-1B abuse and ensure Americans are put first in the hiring process,” she stated.
In an interview with Fox News, Chavez-DeRemer revealed that she personally approved all 175 investigations, marking a significant shift in the Labor Department’s approach to oversight. “We want to make sure these companies are not abusing,” she said, indicating a hands-on approach to the enforcement of H-1B regulations.
Just two days prior to the announcement, Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling criticized Senate Democrats for allegedly obstructing President Trump’s “America First” agenda. He urged lawmakers to cease “playing politics” with the livelihoods of American workers, further emphasizing the administration’s focus on protecting domestic employment.
The investigations are primarily aimed at uncovering misuse of the H-1B visa program, particularly cases where employers may have underpaid or manipulated over $15 million in worker wages. Early findings from the investigations have revealed concerning patterns in how the visa program has been utilized.
Officials from the Labor Department have reported widespread irregularities in the use of the H-1B visa program. In several instances, foreign workers, including those with advanced degrees, were allegedly compensated far less than what their employers had certified in official filings. Such practices not only exploit visa holders but also contribute to wage suppression for American workers.
Additionally, investigators discovered that some companies delayed reporting the termination of H-1B employees, resulting in inaccurate employment records that remained on file for weeks or even months. A review of Labor Condition Applications (LCAs)—documents that must be filed prior to hiring an H-1B worker—revealed further red flags, including fake or non-existent job locations, mismatched salaries, and positions that did not align with what was promised in the paperwork. In some cases, job postings appeared to be generic templates, lacking relevance to the actual work being performed.
These findings indicate systemic flaws in the management of the H-1B program, prompting the Labor Department to adopt a more aggressive enforcement stance to protect both U.S. and foreign workers from further exploitation.
Project Firewall, launched in September, represents the Labor Department’s most assertive effort to close loopholes and address misuse within the H-1B system. This initiative followed President Trump’s imposition of a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications, a measure aimed at discouraging what the administration describes as mass applications for low-cost foreign labor.
The H-1B program is widely utilized across various sectors, including technology, engineering, and healthcare, to attract highly skilled professionals from abroad, with Indian nationals constituting one of the largest groups of recipients. According to the White House, the new measures are designed to prevent companies from inundating the system with “cheap labor” petitions and to ensure that American workers remain competitive in the job market.
Officials assert that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to restore public confidence in the visa process and guarantee that U.S. jobs are prioritized for U.S. citizens. Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has stated that the department is committed to deploying “every resource” available to combat H-1B program abuse and will continue to strengthen oversight under President Trump’s leadership.
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