US Lawmaker Seeks Federal Probe Into H-1B Visa Fraud in Atlanta Area
Washington — Republican U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick of Georgia has asked the Trump administration to investigate suspected H-1B visa fraud and abuse in the Atlanta metropolitan area, alleging that some employers are manipulating the program to secure lower-cost labor and exploit foreign workers.
McCormick sent a letter to Vice President J D Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin requesting additional federal investigative and enforcement resources for North Metro Atlanta.
McCormick represents Georgia’s 7th Congressional District, which covers a large portion of the northern Atlanta metropolitan area and includes significant technology, health care, engineering and other high-skilled industries.
He described the district as a “suspected hotspot” for H-1B fraud and urged federal agencies to investigate allegations involving employers in the region.
“In America, we don’t tolerate illegal immigrants unlawfully crossing our border, and we shouldn’t tolerate bad actors who profit from manipulating and abusing our legal immigration system, particularly through programmes like the H-1B visa,” McCormick said.
“This fraud hurts American workers and American wages, erodes the public’s trust in our immigration laws, and insults legal immigrants who come to our country the right way,” he added.
“I am asking the Trump Administration to take a hard look at what is happening in and around my congressional district and hold accountable anyone found to be gaming the system.”
McCormick said his concerns were based on reports from constituents, discussions with stakeholders and recent federal investigative and enforcement activity involving entities in and around his district.
“Metro Atlanta’s recent economic growth and international airport unfortunately make it a logical area of concentration for these bad actors,” he wrote.
The congressman alleged that some employers are using fraudulent or abusive practices to hire workers at below-market wages. He also argued that foreign workers may be vulnerable to exploitation because their immigration status can depend on continued employment.
McCormick said such practices could depress wages and increase competition for American jobseekers, particularly recent college graduates.
“Bad actors have developed illicit methods for meeting the requirements for obtaining H-1B visas and the necessary work authorizations, and they employ these methods at scale to enrich themselves through fraud and exploitation via the most threadbare compliance with the letter of the law,” he wrote.
McCormick asked the Departments of Homeland Security, Labor and State, along with other federal agencies involved in immigration enforcement, to devote “considerable effort and resources” to allegations of H-1B fraud in the Atlanta region.
He also offered to work with the administration on legislation aimed at strengthening enforcement and improving cooperation with Georgia state agencies and law enforcement.
The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign professionals for specialized occupations. Technology and other high-skilled industries are among its largest users, and the program is widely used by professionals from India. (Source: IANS)
