Anthony D’Esposito, Inspector General at the Department of Labour has launched a sweeping investigation into fraud within the H-1B visa program, according to a report by Breitbart. D’Esposito has described the program as a ‘criminal enterprise’ which stretches beyond the borders of the US. He also said that the criminal networks are selling the white-collar jobs of Americans through the program which now keeps at least 1 million foreign workers in positions sought by US graduates. Along with this, D’Esposito also stressed that the real blame lies not with the individual H-1B workers but with the federal government and employers.“The fact is the real people to blame are the federal government — because the federal government allowed it to go unchecked — and the companies who are taking away jobs from the very people who they need to buy their product in order for them to stay in business… So I don’t think that the individuals in every case are really the bad guys. I think that they are being utilized as pawns in a seriously dangerous operation.”
Fraud within the H-1B visa program: Investigation underway
The probe initiated by D’Esposito is part of vice president JD Vance’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud which started in July and has already managed to uncover firearms and other crimes during search warrants in multiple states. D’Esposito said oversight of visa programs has historically been minimal, allowing companies to rely heavily on foreign labor and undercut American workers.The H‑1B program was intended to help companies fill unique skill gaps temporarily, but D’Esposito argued many firms now use it to staff entire workforces. He noted that H‑1B workers often earn 25–30% less than Americans, and when visas expire, some are pressured into illegal work at exploitative wages.
Increasing political pressure
Lawmakers and investors are increasingly critical of the program’s impact on U.S. workers, with recent data showing high underemployment among new graduates. D’Esposito emphasised that the investigation is focused on protecting the labor market, not targeting migrants, and vowed to pursue every lead to expose fraud and restore fairness in employment.
H-1B visa workers would be required to leave US immediately
In related news, a recent online report revealed that a proposed rule by the US government could remove the 60-day grace period currently available to H-1B visa holders and several other temporary workers after they lose their jobs. If the proposal is approved, affected workers may have to leave the United States immediately and would generally not be able to change their immigration status or switch employers from within the country unless the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) decides to forgive the lapse in status. According to a Bloomberg report, the proposal is currently under review.The proposal is currently being reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Once the review is complete, it will be published in the Federal Register for a public comment period of 30 to 60 days before any final decision is made.If the rule is finalized, foreign workers whose employment ends before their visa period expires would generally no longer be considered to be maintaining lawful status. As a result, they would be required to leave the US immediately and would not be allowed to change employers or switch to another visa category while remaining in the country, unless USCIS exercises its discretion to excuse the lapse in status.
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