The Trump administration has launched around 175 investigations into alleged abuse of the H-1B visa programme, targeting violations such as underpayment,
fake job sites, and the illegal practice of “benching” employees, according to the US Department of Labor. In a post on X on Friday, the department said the probes were part of a larger effort to protect American jobs. “As part of our mission to protect American jobs, we’ve launched 175 investigations into H-1B abuse,” the Labour Department said. The agency added that under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the administration would continue prioritizing American workers.
Chavez-DeRemer said in a separate post that the department “is using every resource at our disposal to put a stop to H-1B abuse and protect American jobs. Under the leadership of @POTUS, we’ll continue to invest in our workforce and ensure high-skilled job opportunities go to American workers FIRST!”
Focus on wage violations and fake job sites
The H-1B visa programme, used by US companies, especially technology firms, to hire skilled foreign professionals, has come under renewed scrutiny. Indian workers, including IT professionals and doctors, represent one of the largest groups of H-1B holders.
A Fox News report said the Labour Department could not share details of the 175 active investigations, which account for over $15 million in back wages owed to workers. The report added that federal investigators “uncovered a bounty of concerns,” including cases where foreign workers with advanced degrees were paid far below advertised wages.
The department said such practices drive down wages for both visa holders and American employees, forcing US workers to accept lower pay to remain competitive.
Investigations also found cases where employers failed to notify US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after firing H-1B workers or delayed doing so, and even instances where listed work sites did not exist.
“Other investigations found some employees took part in ‘benching’, which is when H-1B visa holders are not paid anything when they are in-between active work projects,” Fox News reported.
In September 2025, Trump issued a Proclamation titled ‘Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers’, requiring that H-1B petitions filed after September 21 include an additional $100,000 payment as a condition of eligibility, part of what the administration described as the first step in reforming the visa programme.
