The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has initiated at least 175 investigations into suspected abuses of the H-1B visa program. This program allows U.S. companies to hire skilled foreign professionals for specialized roles, particularly in technology and engineering. This significant enforcement action reflects a broader push to reform immigration policies and ensure American workers are prioritized.
The DOL’s ‘Project Firewall,’ launched in September, aims to rigorously enforce H-1B regulations. The initiative is designed to prevent companies from hiring underpaid foreign workers as substitutes for qualified American employees. In an unprecedented move, U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is personally certifying the launch of these investigations, signaling a new level of commitment to safeguarding domestic jobs.
“The Labor Department is using every resource at our disposal to put a stop to H-1B visa abuse,” Chavez-DeRemer stated. “For the first time, I am personally certifying investigations into suspected violations to better protect American jobs.”
A recent social media campaign by the DOL further highlights these concerns. The campaign video criticizes certain companies for allegedly using the H-1B program to displace young American workers with cheaper foreign labor. The advertisement specifically mentioned India as the primary country whose citizens benefit from the visa. The messaging asserted that “the American Dream has been stolen” from young Americans due to the widespread misuse of the H-1B visa.
These intensified investigations represent a significant effort to hold companies accountable and reinforce the administration’s commitment to prioritizing domestic employment and tightening oversight of foreign worker programs.
