The U.S. launched "Project Firewall," a major H-1B visa crackdown targeting fraud, with new fees and proactive enforcement.

The U.S. Department of Labor launched "Project Firewall," a sweeping enforcement initiative targeting alleged fraud and abuse in the H-1B visa program, which allows companies to hire foreign workers in specialized fields. The effort, part of the Trump administration’s broader push to prioritize American workers, includes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions, proactive investigations into employers suspected of misusing the program—such as hiring lower-skilled workers to cut costs—and stricter enforcement of wage and working condition standards. Violators may face back pay, fines, or temporary bans on future H-1B use. The initiative marks the first major federal crackdown since the program’s creation in 1990, shifting from complaint-based actions to proactive oversight. While current visa holders are unaffected, the policy has drawn criticism from business groups and legal experts who warn of potential harm to U.S. competitiveness and workforce stability. Legal challenges are anticipated.