Federal authorities, along with help 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 specific investigation covers firms that sponsor mostly H-1B non-immigrants, or temporary workers in specialty occupations that call for distinct expertise. The companies that are the subject of this particular investigation have stated that the foreign workers have been brought to the U.S. to fill current vacancies. However, the businesses allegedly have not always had work available for these people, thereby placing them in non-pay status once they arrive in the United States. In some cases, the foreign employees have allegedly been placed in positions and locales not previously authorized by the Department of Labor, displacing qualified American employees and violating prevailing wage laws. The companies 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 businesses are suspected of visa fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy.

U.S. firms make use of H-1B visas to employ foreign employees in specialised jobs that demand theoretical or technical competence in specialized 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 certain 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 workers. Congress sets a numerical limit for the entrance of skilled workers into the U.S. The existing 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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