Trump Launches H-1B Fraud Probe Into PERM Abuse And Labor Trafficking

The investigation will focus on employers who use the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) process to hire foreign workers while allegedly displacing qualified U.S. applicants. PERM is designed to prove that no American worker is available for a job, but officials suspect widespread abuse.

The probe will also examine cases of labor trafficking, where foreign workers are brought to the U.S. under H-1B visas but are then subjected to exploitative working conditions, including wage theft and forced labor.

According to the administration, the crackdown is part of a broader effort to protect American jobs and ensure the integrity of the immigration system. The Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security will jointly lead the investigation.

Employers found guilty of fraud or trafficking could face severe penalties, including fines, debarment from future visa programs, and criminal charges. The administration has not yet released a timeline for the probe's completion.