The U.S. Department of Labor has initiated an extensive probe, launching more than 175 investigations into potential violations of the H-1B visa program. This critical initiative aims to ensure that the program, which facilitates the hiring of foreign specialists in fields like tech and engineering, is not being exploited to the detriment of American workers. The investigations are a key component of the administration’s broader immigration reform agenda focused on prioritizing U.S. citizens for available jobs. In September, the department inaugurated ‘Project Firewall,’ a targeted operation designed to enforce H-1B regulations strictly and prevent companies from hiring foreign talent at reduced rates in place of American professionals. A historic development is Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s personal certification of these investigations. She has publicly committed to utilizing all departmental resources to combat H-1B visa misuse and safeguard domestic employment. Complementing these enforcement actions, the DOL released a social media campaign video alleging that certain companies are leveraging the H-1B visa to replace young American workers with cheaper foreign alternatives. The campaign specifically highlights India as the primary beneficiary of the visa scheme and argues that rampant abuse has undermined the American job market and the aspirations of its citizens.
