Vice President JD Vance and the Department of Labor’s Inspector General launched a sweeping investigation Wednesday into alleged widespread abuse of U.S. work visa programs.
Speaking at an anti-fraud event in Milwaukee, Vance said the probe aims to protect American workers by ensuring jobs go to U.S. citizens rather than foreign applicants exploiting the system. Labor Department officials have already issued dozens of subpoenas as part of the effort.
Scope 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 impacted 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.
Connections to Broader Criminal Activity
D’Esposito linked the fraud to transnational criminal networks. “This is another example where fraud is fueling violent crime. This visa fraud is tied to cartels, is tied to transnational gangs,” he said.
The Inspector General warned that the issue extends beyond factories to medical facilities and doctors’ offices, potentially endangering patients and compromising healthcare services.
Trump Administration’s Stance
Vance emphasized the original intent 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.
The H-1B visa program permits U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupations requiring 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.
Program Usage and Distribution
Major technology firms including Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple rank 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.
This story has been updated. CNN’s reporting contributed to this report.
