H-1B Crackdown: US Bill Proposes 2.4Cr Fine, 10-Year Ban

The seriousness of H-1B Visa related fraudulent activities have now reached a situation where not just the US government but also the House of Representatives started making intense efforts to stop abuse of the immigration program through strict laws and regulations. 

While the Trump’s government is pulling all stops to curb the misuse, a group of Republican US lawmakers introduced a new bill named H-1B Visa Fraud Crackdown Act in House of Representatives to stop visa cheating. The new proposal aims to severely punish companies using fraudulent tricks or violating employment rules while recruiting foreign skilled workers instead of Americans. 

Under this new proposed legislation, maximum fine for major severe visa violations will increase from existing $35,000 up to $250,000 per violation. This means 2.4 Crores in Indian currency. Along with massive monetary fines, minimum period for banning violating employers from using H-1B program will increase from 3 years to at least 10 years. 

The bill also targets immigration document fraud by raising general fines on fake paperwork up to $50,000. 

Legal experts say if this law gets approved, foreign staffing firms and body-shopping agencies will face tough time operating inside US market. However, foreign workers and IT candidates should note that this new proposal is currently just a bill in US Parliament

The proposal comes at time when US immigration agencies are already conducting strict checks and background audits on H-1B applications. Sweeping changes have been proposed by Trump’s government and all them are currently facing judicial scrutiny. 

If all these proposed rules gets enacted, it will be a tough time for foreign nationals to secure jobs in USA. Majority of Indians will get impacted with these news rules.