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US Signals Total H-1B Visa Program Shutdown Over Foreign-Labour Fraud
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News18•27-09-2026, 08:23
US Signals Total H-1B Visa Program Shutdown Over Foreign-Labour Fraud
- •US Labour Department Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito warned the H-1B visa program could look ‘very different’ a year from now due to increased investigations into alleged foreign-labour fraud.
- •D’Esposito signaled a total shutdown of the H-1B visa program, stating the administration is building a case for tougher enforcement and has ‘handcuffs ready’.
- •The Department of Labour’s Office of Inspector General is conducting a nationwide investigation into fraud, worker exploitation, and human trafficking linked to the H-1B visa program.
- •The investigation has involved dozens of subpoenas and search warrants, leading to the suspension of visa applications for tech giants Cognizant and Cloudera.
- •The Trump administration launched Project Firewall to safeguard American workers' rights and jobs, and has extended restrictions on certain H-1B workers until September 21, 2027.
Key Questions Answered
Labour Department Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito warned that the H-1B visa program could look drastically different within a year as the administration investigates alleged foreign-labour fraud, noting that investigators have handcuffs ready for wrongdoers.
Visa applications involving tech giants Cognizant and Cloudera have been suspended pending the ongoing criminal investigation into alleged foreign-labour fraud and misuse of immigration programs.
Launched in September 2025, Project Firewall aims to safeguard the rights, wages, and job opportunities of highly skilled American workers by ensuring employers prioritize qualified Americans and holding them accountable for abusing the H-1B process.
