Vice President JD Vance and the Department of Labor’s inspector general announced a major investigation Wednesday into alleged widespread abuse of U.S. work visa programs, casting it as a central element of the Trump administration’s effort to combat immigration fraud and protect American workers.
Speaking at an anti-fraud event in Milwaukee, Vance said the probe seeks to ensure jobs go to U.S. citizens rather than “foreign fraudsters.” Labor Department officials have already issued dozens of subpoenas.
Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito told the New York Post that the schemes under review have cost the medical industry hundreds of millions of dollars and affected multiple employment sectors. Investigators suspect 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 indicate that as much as 21 percent of H-1B visa petitions may be fraudulent. The inquiry will also scrutinize potential abuses of employment-based green cards, including cases in which foreign workers allegedly displaced American employees or obtained benefits through deception.
D’Esposito connected the fraud to wider criminal activity, stating, “This is another example where fraud is fueling violent crime. This visa fraud is tied to cartels, is tied to transnational gangs.” He noted the problem reaches beyond factories into medical facilities and doctors’ offices, raising potential patient safety concerns.
Vance stressed the H-1B program’s original purpose: attracting exceptional talent in technology, science, and medicine. “What’s happening way too much is that big corporations and fraudsters overseas are using this program to undercut the wages of American workers,” he said. “What we’re doing in the Trump administration, we’re saying, ‘No more.’”
The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree. The PERM labor certification process is often the first step toward employment-based green cards.
According to Pew Research Center data, about 73 percent of H-1B recipients come from India. Many hold advanced degrees, with the largest share in computer-related fields. Major technology companies including Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple rank among the top users. Foreign workers also fill roles in healthcare, manufacturing, and higher education.
California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Washington receive the largest shares of H-1B approvals. Petitions peaked at 442,425 in 2022 during the Biden administration.
The administration says the investigation reflects its commitment to restoring integrity to the immigration system and prioritizing American workers.
