Speaking at an anti-fraud event in Milwaukee, Vance described the probe as a key part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration fraud and workplace exploitation. The goal, he said, is to ensure American workers have fair access to jobs and that businesses strictly follow federal immigration and labor laws.
Labor Department officials said investigators have already issued dozens of subpoenas while examining suspected fraudulent practices in work visa applications. Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito told the New York Post that the alleged schemes have cost the U.S. healthcare industry hundreds of millions of dollars and impacted numerous other economic sectors. Authorities are also looking into possible ties to forced labor networks and human trafficking organizations.
D’Esposito said investigators have uncovered cases where employers or labor brokers allegedly filed fraudulent visa applications, forced foreign workers into illegal wage kickback schemes, and used lower-paid labor in ways that may have displaced qualified American workers. Some probes have also revealed potential connections to broader criminal enterprises, including transnational gangs and organized crime.
The investigation targets possible abuses of both H-1B temporary work visas and employment-based green card applications. Officials are reviewing claims that applicants obtained benefits through fake documentation and that employers improperly replaced American workers with foreign labor.
Vance stressed that the H-1B program was created to bring in highly skilled professionals in science, technology, engineering, and medicine. Instead, he argued, some employers have exploited the system to cut labor costs under questionable conditions. The administration aims to restore the program’s original purpose while stopping abuses.
The H-1B visa permits U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals for specialty occupations that require specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree. Many green card applicants begin the process through the PERM labor certification system.
According to Pew Research Center data, roughly 73 percent of H-1B recipients are Indian citizens, with many working in computer-related fields. Major tech firms including Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple are among the top users, alongside healthcare providers, universities, and manufacturers. California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Washington lead in H-1B approvals.
Administration officials say the effort strengthens oversight of employment-based immigration, combats fraud, protects both American and foreign workers from exploitation, and preserves legal pathways for highly skilled talent.
