Trump administration signals crackdown on foreign labor visa programs

The Trump administration is signaling intensified enforcement regarding foreign labor visa programs to prioritize American workers. US Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito indicated that a “big week ahead” is expected on the foreign labor visa front, though he did not specify particular programs or employers under investigation.

This movement follows increased scrutiny of employment-based immigration. Vice President JD Vance has criticized the H-1B visa program, describing it as “completely broken” and suggesting it could be abolished to prevent companies from using lower-paid foreign workers to replace American employees.

Recent administrative actions include an executive directive ordering the Departments of State, Labor, and Homeland Security to investigate whether companies sponsoring foreign workers have recently laid off comparable US staff. Additionally, the Labor Department has been instructed to audit previously filed labor-condition applications for potential violations. The administration also continues to defend a USD 100,000 fee on certain H-1B petitions for workers outside the US, despite recent legal injunctions against it.