A new House bill would sharply raise penalties for serious H-1B violations, targeting employers with fines of up to $250,000 and sponsorship bans lasting at least 10 years. The proposal could strengthen enforcement against companies that willfully break program rules, but it has not become law.
Penalties Would Rise Sharply
Representative Beth Van Duyne, a Texas Republican, introduced the H-1B Visa Fraud Crackdown Act, or H.R. 10643, on October 1, 2026. Five other Republican representatives from Texas joined as co-sponsors. The measure was referred to the House Judiciary Committee on the same day.
For willful violations or material misrepresentations covered by the legislation, the maximum civil penalty would rise from $5,000 to $100,000 per violation. The minimum period during which employment-based petitions for the employer could not be approved would increase from two years to five years.
The toughest consequences would apply when a willful violation or misrepresentation involves the displacement of a U.S. worker. In those cases, the bill proposes a $250,000 maximum fine and at least a 10-year ban, replacing the current statutory maximum of $35,000 and minimum three-year debarment.
The proposal would also raise civil penalties for covered immigration document fraud. First violations would carry penalties ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per document, while violations following a prior order would range from $20,000 to $50,000 per document.
What It Means for Workers
The proposal targets employers, not individual H-1B workers. It would not create a $250,000 fine for visa holders or automatically change the eligibility requirements, annual cap or selection process for the H-1B program.
Still, international professionals could feel indirect effects if an employer is found to have committed a qualifying violation. Current Department of Labor guidance says employer debarment does not itself invalidate workers’ existing visas, but a barred employer cannot seek covered extensions or employment-based green cards during the debarment period.
That distinction matters for workers whose immigration status or permanent-residence process depends on continued sponsorship. The legislation reinforces the importance of reviewing an employer’s compliance history, wage practices and ability to support future immigration filings.
The Path Through Congress
The measure has not become law. It would need to advance through the House Judiciary Committee, pass both chambers of Congress and receive the president’s signature before taking effect. As of October 10, 2026, the official record listed no action beyond its introduction and committee referral.
Van Duyne said the higher penalties are intended to deter companies from treating existing fines as a routine business expense. The bill’s future provisions could change through committee review or amendments as it moves through Congress.
Sources
- H.R. 10643 (IH) — H-1B Visa Fraud Crackdown Act — U.S. Government Publishing Office (October 1, 2026)
- Van Duyne Introduces H-1B Visa Fraud Crackdown Act Raising Penalties for Abuse in the H-1B Visa Program — Office of Representative Beth Van Duyne (October 5, 2026)
- US House bill proposes raising serious H-1B violation fines from $35,000 to $250,000 and extending employer bans — The Times of India (October 8, 2026)
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