The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has launched an investigation into alleged fraud in the H-1B visa programme, with Vice President JD Vance accusing corporations and overseas actors of exploiting the system to suppress wages for American workers.
Speaking in Milwaukee on Wednesday, Vance said the investigation would focus on alleged abuses of the H-1B programme, which allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire highly skilled foreign workers in sectors such as technology, healthcare and education.
“Big corporations and fraudsters overseas are using this program to undercut the wages of American workers,” Vance said.
“If you are trying to take advantage of that visa program, you are not allowed into the United States.”
US H-1B Visa
The H-1B visa has long been a source of political debate in the United States. Supporters argue it helps employers fill specialised positions where domestic talent is scarce, while critics contend that some companies use the programme to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign employees.
The investigation will also examine alleged fraud in the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) programme, the process through which U.S. employers sponsor foreign workers for permanent employment. Labour Department Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito said investigators had already issued dozens of subpoenas as part of the probe.
According to D’Esposito, authorities are examining whether visa fraud is linked to broader criminal activities, including human trafficking and transnational organised crime.
The latest move is part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement agenda. Earlier this year, President Trump appointed Vance to oversee federal anti-fraud initiatives, expanding his role beyond immigration to include investigations into healthcare and other forms of government-related fraud.
The investigation comes weeks after a federal judge in Boston struck down the administration’s proposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, ruling that the charge amounted to an unlawful tax because it had not been authorised by Congress.
It remains unclear whether the new investigations will lead to regulatory changes, criminal prosecutions, or additional restrictions on employers using the H-1B programme.
