WASHINGTON, D.C. — Vice President JD Vance is taking on a new assignment from President Donald Trump as the administration intensifies its efforts to combat alleged immigration and employment fraud.
Vance and the Department of Labor’s inspector general announced Wednesday a new investigation into suspected abuse of U.S. work-visa programs, including allegations that fraudulent applications and labor practices may have harmed American workers while exposing foreign employees to exploitation.
Speaking at an anti-fraud event in Milwaukee, Vance said Labor Department investigators had already issued dozens of subpoenas as part of the probe. He described the effort as part of a broader administration campaign to ensure that legitimate visa programs serve their intended purpose.
“We’re saying, ‘No more,’” Vance said, emphasizing the administration’s position that employment-based immigration programs should not be used to reduce wages or unfairly displace American workers.
Labor Department Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito said investigators are examining alleged schemes involving employers and labor brokers that submitted fraudulent applications, manipulated wages or otherwise exploited foreign workers.
According to allegations outlined by investigators, some cases may involve coercive wage arrangements and networks associated with forced labor and human trafficking. Officials have also raised concerns about potential connections between immigration fraud and organized criminal groups.
The investigation extends beyond the technology industry. D’Esposito said authorities are examining possible abuses involving H-1B visa holders and foreign nationals seeking employment-based permanent residency. Investigators are also reviewing allegations that fraudulent practices may have affected medical facilities and other workplaces.
The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupations generally requiring specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. The program is widely used in technology but also plays a role in health care, manufacturing, education and other sectors.
The PERM labor-certification process, meanwhile, is used by employers seeking to sponsor certain foreign workers for permanent residency. Employers generally must demonstrate that qualified U.S. workers are not readily available for the position under the applicable requirements.
The administration’s investigation is likely to attract significant attention because of the size and importance of these programs. Foreign-born professionals, particularly workers from India, account for a substantial share of H-1B recipients, while major technology companies remain among the largest employers of visa holders.
Administration officials argue that legitimate immigration programs can benefit the U.S. economy but insist that fraud and exploitation must be aggressively addressed.
Vance framed the investigation as an effort to protect both American workers and the integrity of legal immigration.
The probe remains ongoing, and allegations under investigation have not been established as criminal violations in every case. Authorities are expected to examine employer records, visa applications, labor practices and potential immigration-related misconduct as investigators determine the scope of the alleged schemes.
The investigation marks another major step in the Trump administration’s broader effort to tighten enforcement of employment-based immigration rules while targeting what officials describe as systemic abuse of federal visa programs.
