Trump Administration Launches First Major Probe Into H1-B Visa Fraud, Cognizant In Focus

Published 9 July 2026 · india

Trump Administration Launches First Major Probe Into H1-B Visa Fraud, Cognizant In Focus Published By, Last Updated: July 09, 2026, 08:16 IST Speaking to Fox

Trump Administration Launches First Major Probe Into H1-B Visa Fraud, Cognizant In Focus Published By, Last Updated: July 09, 2026, 08:16 IST Speaking to Fox News, a US official said that the H-1B and PERM visa frauds are "another example where fraud is fuelling violent crimes." Representative image of the US H1-B visa. The Trump administration has launched its first major investigation into alleged fraud involving H-1B and PERM employment visas, with a senior federal official naming IT giant Cognizant among companies linked to concerns raised by the whistleblowers. While speaking to Fox News, US Labour Department Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito said that multiple subpoenas have already been issued by the officials as part of the administration’s most aggressive investigation into suspected labour trafficking as well as the alleged abuse of foreign worker programmes. 🚨PRESS RELEASE: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General Launches Investigation into H-1B Visa Fraud and Human Trafficking to Protect American WorkersRead:⤵️ pic.twitter.com/naWt7h3AP3 — DOL OIG (@DOLOIG) July 8, 2026 The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant work visa that allows US employers to hire foreign professionals in specialised occupations. Every year, thousands of Indian professionals secure jobs in the United States through the H-1B visa programme.

The H-1B visa is typically issued for an initial period of three years and can be extended for up to six years. The PERM programme, meanwhile, is the labour certification process that employers must complete before sponsoring many foreign workers for permanent residency in the United States. Also Read: Student Visa Delays? US Embassy Reassures Indians Amid Proposed H-1B, Green Card Overhaul Trump Admin Issues Dozens Of Summons Speaking to Fox News, D’Esposito said, “Without a doubt… we are going to take an aggressive action, which we believe is probably the most aggressive action against foreign labour fraud by an Inspector General, this administration. We’ve already started to issue dozens of subpoenas." 🚨NEW INVESTIGATION: @USLaborIG is cracking down on H-1B and PERM visa fraud.Fraudsters gaming the system — beware.We’re issuing subpoenas, tracking every lead, and putting criminals in cuffs. Teaming up with @POTUS & @VP’s @WHFraudTF to put American workers first. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/kqlf3tdbvv — DOL OIG (@DOLOIG) July 8, 2026 He further promised to “track down every lead", and added that whistleblowers have raised concerns regarding “some of the biggest companies, like Cognizant." The investigators will “work side by side with the president and vice president’s fraud task force" during the period of investigation, he said.