Published on
November 8, 2025

The United States has strengthened its scrutiny of the H-1B Visa Program, a system that has long served as a gateway for skilled professionals from countries such as India, China, and other global hubs to work and travel across American industries. Through the recently initiated Project Firewall, launched by the Department of Labor (DOL), a total of 175 investigations have been undertaken to address the potential abuse of the program. These inquiries, valued at over $15 million in back wages, are reshaping conversations about employment fairness, foreign worker treatment, and labor mobility across borders. The move aligns with President Donald Trump’s new policy that imposes a one-time fee of $100,000 on each H-1B petition, signaling a significant shift toward protecting domestic employment.
While the program has historically supported international professionals seeking career growth and cultural exposure in the United States, recent findings reveal concerning practices that could affect both American workers and foreign employees. As the probes unfold, the balance between travel-based employment opportunities and regulatory compliance continues to influence global workforce relations and the credibility of the U.S. labor ecosystem.

A Closer Look at Project Firewall

In September 2025, the Department of Labor introduced Project Firewall with the intent of ensuring that companies operating within the United States were prioritizing American citizens for available job positions. The initiative emerged as part of a broader policy framework designed to fortify ethical hiring practices, particularly within organizations utilizing H-1B visa holders to fill highly skilled roles. By promoting accountability, the project sought to preserve a fair competitive environment between domestic and foreign talent while maintaining the integrity of the nation’s employment landscape.

Project Firewall was not merely an administrative action but a decisive response to the growing global concern over workplace equity. Its purpose extended beyond enforcement—it aimed to restore trust in a system that bridges continents by allowing skilled individuals to contribute to industries such as technology, healthcare, and education across U.S. states.

Findings From the Investigations

The 175 probes launched under Project Firewall revealed a spectrum of irregularities within companies employing foreign professionals. According to the Department of Labor, these investigations accounted for over $15 million in back wages, signaling widespread inconsistencies between approved labor conditions and actual employment practices.

Investigators discovered that several foreign professionals possessing advanced academic qualifications were being paid salaries significantly lower than those promised in official job descriptions. This practice not only diminished the value of highly qualified workers but also created a downward pressure on wages for American employees, who were forced to accept reduced compensation to remain competitive.

Such discrepancies threatened the fundamental principles of fair employment and global workforce diversity, which underpin the attractiveness of the United States as a destination for professional travel and long-term career advancement.

Concerns Over the Labor Condition Application (LCA)

One of the major findings of the investigation involved the misuse of the Labor Condition Application (LCA), a mandatory document employers must file before hiring foreign workers under the H-1B, H-1B1, or E-3 visa categories. The LCA serves as a declaration that the employer will provide fair wages, appropriate working conditions, and transparency in recruitment.

However, the DOL’s investigation revealed that several employers failed to notify American workers before bringing foreign professionals on board, as required by law. In certain cases, the work sites mentioned in the LCAs did not exist, and some employees were reportedly unaware of the positions they were allegedly assigned. These irregularities cast doubt on the ethical transparency of employer practices and highlight the exploitation of a program originally intended to foster cultural and professional exchange between the United States and other nations.

Delayed Notifications and Administrative Lapses

The probes further revealed that many employers failed to promptly notify the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after terminating an H-1B visa holder. Such delays created administrative gaps that allowed certain organizations to retain control over visa statuses even after employment cessation, complicating the regulatory process.

These lapses undermined not only the government’s capacity to manage visa compliance but also the career stability of foreign workers traveling to the United States with expectations of secure, lawful employment. By failing to report terminations in a timely manner, employers placed both domestic and international professionals in positions of uncertainty, weakening the trust between employees, government institutions, and travel-based work programs.

Wage Irregularities and Worker Exploitation

Among the most alarming revelations was the discovery that employees were often paid significantly less than what had been outlined in their LCAs. Furthermore, employers frequently used generic or irrelevant job postings—sometimes copied and pasted from unrelated sources—to fulfill the requirement of notifying American workers before hiring foreign talent.

This misrepresentation distorted the domestic job market and eroded the fairness that the H-1B visa system was designed to uphold. Additionally, a practice known as benching was uncovered—where visa holders were left unpaid during intervals between active work projects. Such exploitation contradicted the foundational intent of cultural exchange and professional growth that motivates global mobility under the H-1B framework.

The Broader Implications for Global Employment and Travel

The H-1B visa has long symbolized opportunity for global professionals aspiring to work and live in the United States. It not only facilitates career growth but also promotes cultural integration, tourism, and economic collaboration between nations. However, the findings from these investigations underscore the need for stricter oversight to ensure that the program maintains its credibility as a legitimate channel for international talent exchange.

The enforcement of Project Firewall and the imposition of a $100,000 filing fee under President Donald Trump’s directive reflect a changing landscape in U.S. immigration and labor policy. While the measures aim to protect domestic employment, they also compel global professionals to reconsider the costs and challenges associated with pursuing careers in the U.S.

For foreign workers, these developments highlight the importance of understanding labor rights and maintaining transparency in employment documentation. For American employers, the investigations serve as a reminder of their role in upholding fair and lawful practices that support both local and international contributors to the economy.

As the United States Department of Labor continues to expand the reach of Project Firewall, the global travel and employment community watches closely. The 175 investigations not only mark a critical juncture in visa administration but also redefine the balance between national workforce protection and international job mobility. By addressing wage irregularities, administrative negligence, and systemic misuse, the initiative seeks to restore faith in the country’s commitment to fairness and ethical hiring.

Ultimately, the outcome of these investigations will influence how the world views the United States—not just as a destination for tourism and travel, but as a global hub for professional growth grounded in transparency, accountability, and respect for every worker, regardless of nationality.