- By Supratik Das
- Sun, 21 Sep 2025 11:31 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Trump H-1B visa News:The Trump administration has launched Project Firewall, a tough H-1B visa enforcement program that seeks to make sure American companies value domestic talent over foreign workers. The decision is made amidst growing doubts about the misuse of H-1B visas, which puts highly skilled American workers at a disadvantage.
US Department of Labor (DoL) released the initiative, highlighting its determination to protect the rights, wages, and working opportunities of American workers. US Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer has declared, "By eliminating fraud and abuse, the Department of Labor and our federal partners will make sure that highly skilled jobs go to Americans first."
What Is Project Firewall?
Project Firewall is intended to watch and control the use of H-1B visas by American employers. Highlights are:
• Qualified American employees must be given priority by employers when hiring.
• Enforcement of H-1B compliance will be personally certified by the Secretary of Labor, a first in history.
• The project takes advantage of the Secretary's current authority to take action if there is reasonable cause that employers are not abiding by H-1B rules.
• Violations can lead to back wages, lower civil money penalties, or temporary debarment from the H-1B program.
• The DoL will work with federal agencies such as the Department of Justice, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and USCIS to make sure enforcement is correct.
• Employers and employees may call for compliance assistance services through the toll-free number 1-866-4-US-WAGE (487-9243).
Impact On Indian Nationals
Indians have been the biggest recipients of the H-1B program, securing 71 per cent of last year's approvals, while China was second at 11.7 per cent. The new regulations could probably make it more difficult for Indians and other foreign employees to get H-1B visas or renew their current permits.
The more strict compliance requirements under Project Firewall, coupled with the recently implemented USD 100,000 H-1B application fee, are likely to raise costs and procedural scrutiny for employers who wish to employ foreign professionals. The full effect is uncertain, but the new regulations signal a continued 'America-first' immigration policy for the US.
The Labor Department explained that Project Firewall is not meant to shut foreign workers out but to ensure equity in hiring. Secretary Chavez-DeRemer furthered, "We are launching Project Firewall to help us ensure no employers are exploiting H-1B visas at the expense of our workers." While the US aims to prioritise domestic jobs, the project reflects a dramatic policy change in prioritizing that American jobs come first in a more competitive international marketplace.