Federal authorities, utilizing help from state level and local law enforcement, served search warrants at locations in Urbandale and Clive, Iowa; in Santa Clara, Rancho Cucamonga and Arcadia, Calif.; as well as in South Plainfield, N.J.

This specific investigation looks at businesses that sponsor mainly H-1B non-immigrants, or temporary personnel in specialty occupations that involve special skills. The companies that happen to be the subject of the investigation have stated that the foreign employees 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 putting them in non-pay status just after they arrive in the United States. In some cases, the foreign employees have allegedly been placed in jobs and locations not previously certified by the Department of Labor, displacing qualified American employees and violating prevailing wage laws. The employers and foreign workers have allegedly submitted false statements and documents in support of their visa petitions. The false statements and documents were mailed or wired to state 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 use H-1B visas to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that demand theoretical or technical know-how 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 employees. Congress sets a numerical limit for the admission of skilled workers into the U.S. The current 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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