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.; as well as in South Plainfield, N.J.

This investigation covers firms that sponsor primarily H-1B non-immigrants, or temporary employees in specialty occupations that involve unique expertise. The businesses that happen to be the subject of this specific investigation have asserted that the foreign individuals have been brought to the U.S. to fill existing vacancies. However, the companies allegedly have not always had positions available for these workers, thereby placing them in non-pay status after they arrive in the United States. In some cases, the foreign employees 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 employers and foreign workers have allegedly submitted false statements and documents in support of their visa petitions. The untrue statements and documents were sent by mail or wired to state level and federal agencies in support of the visa applications. The companies are suspected of visa fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy.

U.S. businesses make use of H-1B visas to employ foreign workers in niche occupations that demand theoretical or technical skills in specialised fields, 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 specific labor conditions to ensure that American workers are not adversely impacted, while the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division safeguards the treatment and compensation of H-1B personnel. Congress sets a numerical limit for the admission of skilled workers into the U.S. The present H-1B cap is set at 65,000 per fiscal year. H-1B aliens can 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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