US announces investigation into fraud in H1B temporary employment visas

Just over a month after a US federal judge struck down the Trump administration’s proposed $100,000 fee requirement for H-1B applicants, the government has announced an investigation into potential fraud in this temporary work visa programme.

Also under scrutiny is a labour certification system that serves as the gateway to most employer-sponsored “green cards” that allow permanent residence in the US.

On Wednesday, US Vice President JD Vance said that the US was investigating foreigners involved in fraud related to the H-1B programme.

He said that the Federal Department of Labor had on Wednesday “started dozens of subpoenas and investigations into foreign fraudsters who are trying to take advantage of the H-1B visa programme.”

A subpoena is a written order to attend a court of law to give evidence.

“American jobs ought to go to American workers and not foreign fraudsters,” Vance declared.

#WATCH | On H-1B visa program, US Vice President JD Vance says, "... We have a program called the H-1B visa program... We're fighting for your taxpayer money but we're also making sure that fraudsters don't take advantage of these visa programs. This is a visa program that was… pic.twitter.com/n2Z05zlh73— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2026

US Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito told Fox Business on Wednesday that this was the Trump government’s “first major investigation” into...

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