Vice President JD Vance and the Department of Labor’s Inspector General have launched a major new investigation into widespread abuse of U.S. work visa programs. The probe is being described as a central part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration fraud.
Speaking at an anti-fraud event in Milwaukee, Vice President Vance said the investigation will protect American workers by ensuring jobs go to U.S. citizens instead of “foreign fraudsters.” Labor Department officials have already issued dozens of subpoenas.
SOUND BITE – VP JD VANCE:
“What’s happening way too much is that big corporations and fraudsters overseas are using this program to undercut the wages of American workers. What we’re doing in the Trump administration, we’re saying, ‘No more.’”
CONTINUE:
Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito told the New York Post that the schemes under investigation have already cost the U.S. medical industry hundreds of millions of dollars and affected multiple employment sectors. Officials believe some operations involve forced-labor networks and human trafficking organizations.
“Labor’s Office of Inspector General has uncovered widespread schemes in which employers and labor brokers submitted fraudulent applications, exploited foreign workers through coercive wage-kickback arrangements, and undercut American workers by flooding the market with below-wage labor,” D’Esposito said.
Department of Homeland Security assessments suggest as much as 21 percent of H-1B visa petitions may be fraudulent. The investigation is also examining potential abuses in employment-based green cards, including cases where American employees were allegedly displaced.
D’Esposito linked the fraud to broader criminal activity, stating it is tied to cartels and transnational gangs. He warned the problem reaches beyond factories into medical facilities and doctors’ offices, potentially endangering patients.
BACKGROUND:
The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupations that require specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree. According to Pew Research Center data, roughly 73 percent of H-1B recipients come from India, with the largest concentration in computer-related fields.
Major tech companies including Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple are among the top users of the program. Petitions peaked at more than 442,000 in 2022. California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Washington receive the largest share of approvals.
CLOSING:
The Trump administration says this investigation demonstrates its commitment to restoring integrity to the immigration system and putting American workers first.
This is a developing story. We’ll continue to follow the progress of the Department of Labor’s investigation.
