DOL launches “Project Firewall” to police H-1B abuse

Written by Eve Wu | 9/23/2025

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has rolled out Project Firewall, a new H-1B enforcement push designed to protect the rights, wages, and job opportunities of highly skilled American workers. The goal: make sure employers look to qualified U.S. workers first and face consequences if they misuse the H-1B program.

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer framed the move as part of a broader effort to put American workers first and “root out fraud and abuse” in how companies use H-1B visas.

What’s new

For the first time, the Secretary of Labor will personally certify the start of investigations when there’s reasonable cause to believe an H-1B employer isn’t following the law—an authority the department already has but has never used in this way.
Investigations under Project Firewall will target compliance across the H-1B program, not just isolated cases.

How enforcement will work

DOL says secretary-certified and other H-1B investigations will be key tools to hold employers accountable. When violations are found, consequences can include:

Back wages for affected workers
Civil money penalties
Debarment from using the H-1B program for a set period

Whole-of-government coordination

Within DOL, the Office of Immigration Policy, Employment and Training Administration, and the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) will lead Project Firewall. They’ll also share information and coordinate—where the law allows—with other federal partners to combat discrimination against American workers, including:

The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Source: DOL launches “Project Firewall” to police H-1B abuse

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