The Trump administration has launched a major enforcement drive targeting H-1B visa misuse through a new initiative called Project Firewall. The US Department of Labor introduced the programme to ensure employers follow visa rules and hire qualified Americans first.
Project Firewall brings together the Department of Labor, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and US Citizenship and Immigration Services. These agencies will share information and take joint action against companies that discriminate against American workers or misuse the H-1B system.
The Labour Department said the project aims to protect the rights, wages and job opportunities of skilled US workers. Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said the government will continue to act against “bad practices” and push companies to comply with hiring laws.
The White House also defended President Donald Trump’s position on skilled immigration. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump supports foreign experts only when their skills help launch large manufacturing projects in the US. She added that Trump expects these companies to eventually replace foreign hires with American workers.
Trump recently said he welcomes skilled immigrants who can help train Americans to build advanced products like chips and missiles, even if his stance upsets some supporters.
