The U.S. Department of Labor has launched 175 investigations into potential misuse of the H-1B visa program, which permits American companies to employ skilled foreign professionals. This action follows the Trump administration’s wider focus on stricter immigration measures intended to reduce reliance on foreign labor.
In September, the Labor Department initiated “Project Firewall,” an effort to ensure companies do not hire low-wage foreign workers in place of qualified U.S. candidates, especially in the tech and engineering sectors. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has stated that she is personally approving each investigation, emphasizing the department’s commitment to using every available tool to prevent H-1B abuse and safeguard American jobs.
The Department also released a social media campaign highlighting concerns that some firms are replacing young American workers with foreign employees through the H-1B system. The message emphasized that India remains the top user of this visa category and suggested that widespread misuse is threatening opportunities for young Americans and undermining the American Dream.
To further deter overuse of the program, the administration proposed a one-time fee of $100,000 for companies submitting H-1B visa applications. This move is intended to reduce dependency on foreign labor and hold companies accountable for fair hiring practices.
