In a significant move to protect domestic employment, the United States Department of Labor has launched at least 175 investigations into alleged abuse of the H-1B visa program. This program allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers for specialized roles, particularly in technology and engineering. The current enforcement surge signals a strong commitment to reforming the system and ensuring that American workers are not displaced by foreign labor. The DOL’s ‘Project Firewall,’ established in September, is specifically designed to police compliance with H-1B rules and prevent companies from hiring foreign employees at lower wages instead of qualified Americans. A notable aspect of this crackdown is Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s personal certification of the investigations, marking a unique level of direct engagement from the department’s leadership. She expressed a firm resolve to “put a stop to H-1B visa abuse” and ensure the protection of American jobs. Additionally, a recent social media campaign from the DOL features a video that claims some businesses are misusing the H-1B visa to substitute younger American workers with cheaper foreign labor, with India identified as the largest recipient. The campaign’s overarching message is that widespread abuse of the H-1B visa has ‘stolen’ the American Dream from its citizens by replacing their jobs.
