US Launches Project Firewall to Enforce H-1B Visa Abuse Crackdown

The Trump administration has launched Project Firewall, a comprehensive enforcement initiative by the U.S. Department of Labor aiming to crack down on abuses of the H-1B visa program, which is designed for highly skilled foreign workers. The program seeks to prioritize American workers by investigating employers who exploit the system to hire lower-skilled foreign labor at lower costs, with Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer personally certifying investigations for the first time. Employers found violating regulations may face penalties including fines, repayment of back wages, and potential bans from the H-1B program, alongside a new $100,000 supplemental fee for new visa filings. Project Firewall also involves coordinated efforts with other federal agencies like the Department of Justice, EEOC, and USCIS to ensure broad enforcement and identify discriminatory hiring practices. Critics warn the initiative could have unintended consequences, as it tightens restrictions and imposes financial burdens on employers, amid ongoing legal challenges. The administration argues the crackdown is necessary to protect American jobs, particularly in STEM fields, from systemic abuse that has led to large-scale replacement of U.S. workers by cheaper foreign labor.