The U.S. Department of Labor has opened no fewer than 175 investigations into alleged abuses of the H‑1B visa program. The crackdown, called “Project Firewall,” began in September and targets companies accused of exploiting the visa system that lets U.S. firms hire foreign workers in fields like IT, engineering, and health care.
“We’re using every tool at our disposal to stop H‑1B abuse and protect American jobs,” said DOL Secretary Lori Chavez‑DeRemer on X (formerly Twitter). She reiterated that, under President Trump’s leadership, workers with high‑skill jobs will come first for U.S. employers.
The White House echoed the message. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X that the administration is “investing every resource” to safeguard U.S. jobs, citing the new investigations.
These actions are part of a broader Trump push on the H‑1B program. In September, President Trump signed a declaration that raised the fee for new H‑1B applications to $100,000. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis followed up in October, telling state universities to replace H‑1B holders with Florida residents, calling the practice “cheap labor.” He urged higher‑education leaders to rethink hiring policies.
White House officials have warned that the administration is prepared to fight lawsuits challenging its reforms. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s largest business group, has already filed a lawsuit opposing the crackdown.
On Oct. 30, five lawmakers—Congressmen Ami Bera, Salud Carbajal, Derek Tran, and Congresswoman Julie Johnson—sent a letter to Trump asking him to reconsider the September proclamation. They warned that the new rules could hurt the U.S.-India relationship. No Republican signed the letter.
Supporters of the H‑1B program point out that many leading U.S. companies were founded or led by former H‑1B holders. They argue that these workers help create new businesses, jobs, and keep the United States technologically competitive.
In 2024, more than 70 percent of approved H‑1B visas went to India‑born workers, driven by a large backlog and high demand for skilled talent. This statistic highlights the pivotal role Indian professionals play in the U.S. tech and healthcare sectors.
As the Department of Labor pushes forward, the U.S. workforce and tech industry await the outcome of these investigations and the broader changes to the visa system.
Source: ianslive
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