US Vice President Vance Announces Probe into H-1B Visa Fraud

US Vice President JD Vance Wednesday said that the US department of labour has launched a probe and issued subpoenas against alleged foreign fraudsters accused of misusing the H-1B visa programme. Vance said the Trump administration would ensure the scheme does not undermine American workers. Vance said the action was part of a fraud enforcement effort aimed at protecting taxpayer money and preventing misuse of visa programme. Explaining the purpose of the H-1B programme, Vance said it was created to allow highly skilled professionals, including scientists, doctors and technology experts, to work in the US. "But the big corporations and fraudsters overseas are using this programme to undercut the wages of American workers," the US vice president said. "But this won't be allowed anymore. If you are trying to take advantage of that visa programme, you are not allowed in the US," Vance added. The development is significant for Indian professionals as the H-1B visa programme serves as a key pathway for them to seek employment opportunities in the US, particularly in sectors such as technology, engineering, healthcare and finance. Due to India's large pool of skilled workers in specialised fields, Indian nationals account for a significant share of H-1B visa recipients each year, making changes to the programme a key issue for New Delhi. The H-1B programme is a major component of the US skilled worker immigration system, with the US Congress capping annual visas for most private employers at 65,000, along with an additional 20,000 slots for candidates with advanced degrees from US institutions. ANI