Vice President JD Vance and Labor Department officials announced a major investigation Wednesday into alleged widespread fraud in U.S. work visa programs, describing the effort as a core part of the Trump administration’s push against immigration abuse.
Speaking at an anti-fraud event in Milwaukee, Vance said the probe aims to ensure American jobs go to U.S. citizens rather than “foreign fraudsters.” The Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General has already issued dozens of subpoenas as part of the inquiry into the H-1B specialty occupation visa and the PERM labor certification process used for many employment-based green cards.
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 sectors. Investigators believe 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 investigation will also examine potential abuses involving employment-based green cards, including cases in which foreign workers allegedly displaced American employees or obtained immigration benefits through deception.
D’Esposito connected the fraud to broader 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 issue reaches beyond factories into medical facilities and doctors’ offices, raising potential patient-safety concerns.
At the Milwaukee event, Vance stressed the original purpose of the H-1B program: 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 that require specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree. According to Pew Research Center data, approximately 73 percent of H-1B recipients come from India. Many hold advanced degrees, with the largest share concentrated 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.
Officials said the investigation underscores the administration’s commitment to restoring integrity to the immigration system and prioritizing American workers.
