This is what we’ve been waiting for from DoL on H-1B enforcement.
Wows this is comprehensive, and iteven looks at outsourcing and offshoring!!
🚨 Project Firewall: What You Need to Know about the new H-1B enforcement push
The Dept. of Labor has rolled out Project Firewall to crack down on H-1B program misuse. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
1. Secretary-Certified Investigations •For the first time, the Labor Secretary must personally certify investigations. •Triggered when there’s reasonable cause of violations (underpayment, misuse, or discrimination).
2. Interagency Coordination •DOL divisions (Wage & Hour, Employment & Training, Immigration Policy) will lead. •Working closely with USCIS, DOJ Civil Rights, EEOC. •Aim: align visa enforcement with wage & labor protections.
3. Penalties for Non-Compliance •Back wages owed to affected workers. •Civil money fines. •Debarment: loss of ability to file H-1Bs for a set period.
4. Employer Compliance Support •Hotline + resources from Wage & Hour Division (1-866-4-US-WAGE). •Guidance to help employers stay compliant.
5. Link to New Proclamation •$100,000 fee for certain new H-1B petitions (esp. overseas). •Higher prevailing wage requirements under rulemaking. •Designed to reduce “cheap labor” abuse.
6. What Triggers Scrutiny •Underpayment vs. required wage levels. •Layoffs of U.S. workers while hiring H-1Bs. •Outsourcing models replacing Americans with imported workers.
7. Implications •Higher costs + more audits for employers. •Outsourcing/IT services firms most exposed. •Foreign nationals applying from abroad may face fewer offers. •Legal + political pushback expected.
I’ll be monitoring progress on this initiative closely.
Wows this is comprehensive, and iteven looks at outsourcing and offshoring!!
🚨 Project Firewall: What You Need to Know about the new H-1B enforcement push
The Dept. of Labor has rolled out Project Firewall to crack down on H-1B program misuse. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
1. Secretary-Certified Investigations
•For the first time, the Labor Secretary must personally certify investigations.
•Triggered when there’s reasonable cause of violations (underpayment, misuse, or discrimination).
2. Interagency Coordination
•DOL divisions (Wage & Hour, Employment & Training, Immigration Policy) will lead.
•Working closely with USCIS, DOJ Civil Rights, EEOC.
•Aim: align visa enforcement with wage & labor protections.
3. Penalties for Non-Compliance
•Back wages owed to affected workers.
•Civil money fines.
•Debarment: loss of ability to file H-1Bs for a set period.
4. Employer Compliance Support
•Hotline + resources from Wage & Hour Division (1-866-4-US-WAGE).
•Guidance to help employers stay compliant.
5. Link to New Proclamation
•$100,000 fee for certain new H-1B petitions (esp. overseas).
•Higher prevailing wage requirements under rulemaking.
•Designed to reduce “cheap labor” abuse.
6. What Triggers Scrutiny
•Underpayment vs. required wage levels.
•Layoffs of U.S. workers while hiring H-1Bs.
•Outsourcing models replacing Americans with imported workers.
7. Implications
•Higher costs + more audits for employers.
•Outsourcing/IT services firms most exposed.
•Foreign nationals applying from abroad may face fewer offers.
•Legal + political pushback expected.
I’ll be monitoring progress on this initiative closely.
https://x.com/War4theWest/status/1970227790667526357