The US Department of Labor is stepping up its crackdown on suspected foreign labor fraud, with Labor Department Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito warning that investigators are pursuing more cases involving visa fraud, worker exploitation and potential human trafficking.
In July , the DOL OIG announced a major investigation into H-1B and PERM fraud , saying it was examining allegations including fraudulent applications, wage kickbacks, worker exploitation and fraudulent recruitment practices. He warned that “more suspensions, more arrests, and more search warrants are coming. The Labor Department’s foreign-labor crackdown includes the H-1B program. The investigation has since moved into the field. The field checks are part of an ongoing probe. For H-1B employers, the latest warning points to greater scrutiny of documentation and the circumstances surrounding foreign-worker petitions.
In a September 25 “Fraud Friday” video, D’Esposito said investigators were following every lead and using additional resources as part of the Trump administration’s broader fraud enforcement effort. The warning comes days after the DOL Office of Inspector General said investigators had already issued dozens of subpoenas and executed search warrants as part of a foreign labor fraud investigation. In August, D’Esposito said investigators conducted checks at several locations in Dallas linked to companies with hundreds of approved H-1B petitions. Investigators found some offices locked, with lights off and little evidence of active business operations, according to the DOL OIG . The agency has not said that all employers or petitions examined in the investigation involved fraud. The DOL OIG has said its investigation is examining potential fraud involving employment-based visa programs and has expanded cooperation with other federal law-enforcement agencies.
