Overview
- Labor Secretary Lori Chavez‑DeRemer is personally certifying each case for the first time under department authority to act on reasonable cause.
- Investigators report underpayment versus stated job terms, non‑existent or misrepresented worksites, failure to notify USCIS after terminations, and illegal “benching.”
- The 175 active probes involve more than $15 million in calculated back wages and could trigger penalties and debarment from the H‑1B program.
- The crackdown follows President Trump’s proclamation imposing a one‑time $100,000 fee on new H‑1B petitions, which USCIS says does not apply to status changes or extensions.
- Business groups and lawmakers have mounted legal and political challenges, including a suit by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as the White House defends the reforms.