Vice President JD Vance and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General announced a sweeping new investigation Wednesday into alleged widespread abuse of U.S. work visa programs, framing it as a key component of the Trump administration’s efforts to combat fraud and protect American workers.
Speaking at an anti-fraud event in Milwaukee, Vance said the probe aims to protect American workers by ensuring that jobs go to U.S. citizens rather than “foreign fraudsters.” Labor Department officials have already issued dozens of subpoenas as part of the investigation.
Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito told the New York Post that the schemes under scrutiny have cost the U.S. medical industry hundreds of millions of dollars and affected multiple employment sectors. Investigators believe some operations may 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 many 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 linked the alleged 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 warned that the issue extends beyond factories to medical facilities and doctors’ offices, potentially putting patients at risk.
At the Milwaukee event, Vance emphasized what he described as the original intent 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 visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree. The PERM labor certification process serves as the initial step for many foreign workers seeking employment-based green cards.
According to Pew Research Center data, approximately 73 percent of H-1B recipients come from India. Many hold advanced degrees, with the largest concentration working in computer-related fields. Major technology companies, including Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple, are among the program’s largest users. 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.
The Trump administration says the investigation underscores its commitment to restoring integrity to the immigration system, combating fraud, and prioritizing American workers.