Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The Donald Trump administration has launched its first sweeping investigation into alleged fraud involving H-1B and PERM work visas, with a senior federal official naming IT services giant Cognizant while outlining the large-scale probe.
US Labor Department Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito said investigators had already issued dozens of summons as part of what he called the administration’s most aggressive effort yet to tackle foreign labour fraud.
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The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant work permit that allows US employers to hire foreign professionals in specialised occupations. It is typically granted for three years and can be extended to a maximum of six years. The PERM programme, meanwhile, is the labour certification process employers must complete before sponsoring many foreign workers for permanent residency.
The announcement came ahead of Vice President JD Vance’s fraud initiative event in Milwaukee, where the administration is expected to highlight its campaign against fraud and organised crime.
DOZENS OF SUMMONS ALREADY ISSUED
The inspector general also revealed that investigators had received information involving “some of the biggest companies,” specifically mentioning Cognizant while discussing concerns surrounding permanent residency sponsorships and H-1B visas.
“We have whistleblowers talking about some of the biggest companies, like Cognizant… and we are going to work side by side with the president and vice president’s fraud task force to exhaust every lead,” he told FOX Business on Wednesday.
The official did not accuse Cognizant of wrongdoing or announce any formal charges. Instead, he cited the company while discussing information investigators had received from whistleblowers.
TRUMP ADMIN LINKS VISA FRAUD TO ORGANISED CRIME
D’Esposito argued that visa-related fraud extends beyond immigration violations and is increasingly linked to broader criminal networks.
“This is another example where fraud is fuelling violent crime,” he said.
He claimed that some forms of foreign labour abuse and human trafficking are connected to cartels and transnational criminal organisations.
“Much of the visa and the human trafficking that we see when it comes to this foreign labour is tied to cartels, is tied to transnational gangs,” D’Esposito said. According to him, the administration views the investigation as part of its wider effort to improve public safety while protecting American workers.
Confirming the development, White House Press Secretary wrote on X: “Trump administration launches its first major H-1B visa fraud investigation.”
TECH INDUSTRY REMAINS LARGEST H-1B USER
The technology sector remains the biggest user of H-1B visas, accounting for roughly 60 per cent to 70 per cent of new applications in recent years.
Other major users include consulting and professional services firms, engineering and manufacturing companies, healthcare organisations, medical research institutions and universities.
Last month, however, a federal judge struck down the administration’s requirement that employers pay a $100,000 fee when applying for H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. The court ruled that the executive branch had exceeded its authority by imposing what amounted to a tax without congressional approval.
The investigation is likely to be closely watched in India, as Indian nationals account for the overwhelming majority of H-1B visa holders in the US. Government data shows that around 71 per cent of approved H-1B beneficiaries in fiscal year 2024 were from India, making them by far the largest group under the programme.
The H-1B programme is a key pathway for thousands of Indian engineers, software developers, researchers and healthcare professionals seeking employment in the US. Indian IT companies, along with American technology firms, have historically been among the biggest users of the visa programme, relying on it to fill specialised roles in software development, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and engineering.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
