Federal authorities, with support from state and local law enforcement, served search warrants at addresses in Urbandale and Clive, Iowa; in Santa Clara, Rancho Cucamonga and Arcadia, Calif.; and in South Plainfield, N.J.

This specific investigation involves businesses that sponsor primarily H-1B non-immigrants, or temporary employees in specialty occupations that require special expertise. The businesses that are the subject of the investigation have asserted that the foreign staff have been brought to the U.S. to fill current openings. However, the companies allegedly have not always had work available for these people, thereby placing them in non-pay status after they arrive in the United States. In some instances, the foreign workers have allegedly been placed in positions and locations not previously authorized by the Department of Labor, displacing qualified American individuals and violating prevailing wage laws. The businesses and foreign workers have allegedly submitted false statements and documents in support of their visa petitions. The untrue statements and documents were mailed or wired to state and federal government agencies in support of the visa applications. The companies are suspected of visa fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy.

U.S. firms utilize H-1B visas to employ foreign personnel in niche occupations that require theoretical or technical skills in specialised job areas, such as scientists, engineers, or computer programmers. As part of the H-1B program, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) require U.S. employers to fulfill certain labor conditions to ensure that American workers are not negatively impacted, while the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division safeguards the treatment and compensation of H-1B employees. Congress sets a numerical limit for the entrance of skilled workers into the U.S. The current H-1B cap is set at 65,000 per fiscal year. H-1B aliens may work in the United States for three years, with an option for an additional three years (for a maximum of six years).

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