US officials signal heightened enforcement and push to abolish H-1B visa program

Anthony D'Esposito, Inspector General of the Department of Labour, signaled heightened enforcement of foreign labor visa programs, stating the priority is American workers. Vice President JD Vance advocated for abolishing the H-1B visa program, accusing companies of using it to hire lower-paid foreign workers instead of American employees. The Trump administration has also defended a USD 100,000 fee on certain H-1B petitions, despite a federal magistrate issuing an injunction against it on October 1.

The administration is increasing scrutiny of employment-based immigration amid allegations that companies used foreign-worker programs to undercut US workers. An executive directive ordered departments to examine whether companies sponsoring foreign workers had recently laid off comparable US employees and to audit previously filed labor-condition applications.

Administration moves restrict immigration and slow visa processes, impacting H-1B work visa programs.