US Citizenship and Immigration Services said it has denied and revoked multiple H-1B petitions after identifying cases in which a major IT consulting company classified skilled technology positions at wage levels below what the jobs’ duties and requirements supported, raising fresh concerns over wage compliance and the use of the visa program by consulting firms.
USCIS’s announcement indicates that officials found cases where the wage level assigned to skilled technology jobs was lower than the agency believed the positions warranted. USCIS also did not disclose the number of petitions involved or specify the exact technology occupations targeted. The announcement comes as the Trump administration continues to increase scrutiny of employment-based immigration and alleged abuses of the H-1B system.
In fiscal year 2024, 283,397 approved H-1B beneficiaries were born in India, representing 71% of all approved beneficiaries, according to the agency’s annual H-1B characteristics report. Because uSCIS data show that Indian-born beneficiaries account for the largest share of approved H-1B petitions, the development is nevertheless relevant to Indian H-1B workers.
The practice “undercuts required wages” and creates what it described as unfair competition for US workers, according to the agency. USCIS said the petitions were denied or revoked as part of efforts to protect American workers and maintain the integrity of employment-based immigration programs. H-1B employers must pay workers according to applicable wage requirements, with wage levels generally reflecting factors such as the occupation, experience and requirements associated with a position. It said only that multiple petitions were denied and revoked. The agency said its Vermont office found petitions from a major IT consulting company in which skilled technology positions were assigned wage levels below those supported by the duties and requirements of the jobs.
