The Trump administration is set to unveil new findings on alleged abuse of US work-visa programs on Thursday, with the Vice President’s fraud task force, the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) expected to jointly address concerns involving H-1B and J-1 visas, CNN reported, citing a source familiar with the plans.
The DOL’s Office of Inspector General said in July that it had launched a major investigation into H-1B and PERM systems, citing alleged fraudulent applications, wage-kickback arrangements and schemes involving employers and labor brokers. In April, federal prosecutors announced guilty pleas in an H-1B fraud case involving false claims that foreign workers would be employed on University of California projects. H-1B visa fraud is likely to be a central focus. In August, DOL investigators also carried out field checks in Dallas at locations linked to companies with hundreds of approved H-1B petitions. The DOJ could provide details of criminal investigations or prosecutions arising from such cases. Investigators included the DOJ, State Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Treasury and USCIS fraud officials. The briefing comes just a day after the administration proposed one of its most dramatic changes affecting international students seeking US work experience. The Thursday briefing also follows a September executive action directing federal agencies to strengthen coordination and scrutiny of the H-1B program.
The Department of Homeland Security has proposed a $70,000 fee for an F-1 student’s initial participation in Optional Practical Training (OPT) and $30,000 for subsequent OPT participation.
The agency said some offices showed little evidence of active operations. The proposal says the fees are intended to combat fraud, strengthen immigration -system integrity and protect US workers. The White House said the administration wants enhanced scrutiny of H-1B applications where there is a heightened risk that American workers could be laid off.
