Details of the Trump administration’s largest crackdown on H-1B visa fraud.
The H-1B visa program, which allows US companies to hire skilled workers from foreign countries, has remained a major flashpoint in the current Donald Trump administration, with tech leaders supporting the program, citing a major talent crisis in the US, and a section of MAGA calling for a complete end to the program.
According to critics of the visa program, technology companies hire low-skilled foreigners at lower salaries, thus depriving Americans of those jobs. But now a more serious issue has come to the surface: companies are trafficking people in the name of H-1B jobs when no such jobs exist.The U.S. Department of Labor and Office of Inspector General announced the launch of a major investigation into allegations of fraud and human trafficking in the H-1B and PERM programs.This is more serious than some paper crimes, said Labor Department Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito. H-1B visa fraud fuels violent crime because much of this employment is linked to cartels and gangs.“This is another example of fraud fueling violent crime,” he said. “A lot of the visa and human trafficking that we see when it comes to these foreign workers is linked to transnational gangs, and this is the work we must do, not only to make America safe again, but to make America accessible to everyone again.”
What fraud is the department targeting?
The administration targets companies, individuals, or groups of individuals who bring in foreign labor under the H-1B visa program — but there is no job, no suitable skills, and it is just a path for criminals to enter the United States.D’Esposito said investigators have already begun issuing dozens of subpoenas in connection with the fraud investigation.California, New York and Illinois are among the top five states for applicants for these visas, according to D’Esposito.“These are not limited to people who work in factories,” D’Esposito said. “These are people who work in medical facilities and doctors’ offices who are actually putting people in harm’s way. I mean potentially causing death.”“I talk to investigators every day, who said they would present cases to prosecutors during the Biden administration, and often times they would hear: ‘We’re sorry, this doesn’t meet the minimum,’” he said, citing what he described as a $3 million fraud case.
Why did the name Cognizant appear in this regard?
D’Esposito named Cognizant because he said several major companies are participating in it. “We have whistleblowers talking about some of the larger companies, like Cognizant, that have been kind of … talking about issues with PERM and H-1B visas,” he said. There is no specific allegation against the tech giant.The ministry said it would follow up on all leads it receives, and encouraged whistleblowers to come forward with any information.
Who can provide advice to the DOL?
- American workers who believe they have been displaced or harmed due to potential H-1B fraud, PERM, or related industry practices.
- Foreign workers who believe they have been subjected to exploitation, coercion, or fraudulent employment practices.
- Any workers who believe they have been forced against their will to provide work or services through force, fraud or coercion should report their concerns confidentially or directly.
