WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Mitchell released the following statement after hosting a roundtable discussion with the Departments of State, Labor and Homeland Security to examine fraud and misuse of B-1 visas in lieu of H-1B visas.
“It’s important that we identify, examine, and fight the fraudulent use of visas by employers. Specific visas are designed for specific purposes, and when companies abuse or deceive the visa system, they hurt American workers and the American economy, as well as the foreign workers they hire under fraudulent pretenses. This morning’s roundtable was a good start to shining a light on visa fraud so the relevant government agencies can take effective steps to enforce our laws."
Background
* In July 2017, CBS News released an investigative report providing compelling evidence that certain foreign automobile manufacturers are hiring subcontractors who intentionally employ workers admitted under “B-1 in lieu of H-1B" visas to bypass foreign labor laws and increase company revenue. The report further alleges these workers were paid substantially less than American workers would have been paid performing the same jobs.
* Today, Rep. Mitchell hosted the Departments of State, Labor and Homeland Security to learn more about what options are appropriate for hiring foreign workers, as well as what efforts are underway to identify, investigate and mitigate the fraudulent use of visas by foreign employers and employees.
Witnesses
Morgan Parker
Acting Managing Director of the Visa Office
Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Keith Sonderling
Senior Policy Advisor
Hour and Wage Division, U.S. Department of Labor
Ron Thomas
Chief, Security and Fraud Office, Service Center Operations Directorate
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Lloyd Temple
Unit Chief, Homeland Security Investigations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Luis Mejia
Director, Enforcement Programs Division
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
