Vice President JD Vance and the Department of Labor’s inspector general announced a wide-ranging investigation Wednesday into alleged abuse of U.S. work visa programs, describing the effort as a central part of the Trump administration’s campaign against immigration fraud.
Speaking at an anti-fraud event in Milwaukee, Vance said the probe is intended to protect American workers by ensuring jobs go to U.S. citizens rather than what he called “foreign fraudsters.” Labor Department officials have already issued dozens of subpoenas as part of the inquiry.
Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito told the New York Post that the schemes under review have cost the U.S. medical industry hundreds of millions of dollars and have affected multiple employment 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. “This is another example where fraud is fueling violent crime. This visa fraud is tied to cartels, is tied to transnational gangs,” he said. He warned that the problem extends beyond factories to medical facilities and doctors’ offices, raising potential risks to patients.
At the Milwaukee event, Vance emphasized the original purpose of the H-1B program: to attract 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 visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupations that require specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree. The PERM labor certification process is the first step for many applicants seeking employment-based green cards.
According to Pew Research Center data, about 73 percent of H-1B recipients come from India. Many hold advanced degrees, with the largest concentration in computer-related fields. Major technology companies including Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple are among the top users of the program. Foreign workers are also employed in healthcare, manufacturing, and higher education.
California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Washington receive the largest share of H-1B approvals. Petitions peaked at 442,425 in 2022 during the Biden administration.
Administration officials said the investigation underscores their commitment to restoring integrity to the immigration system and prioritizing American workers.
