US Department of Labor launches Project Firewall to protect America’s highly skilled workforce

News Release

US Department of Labor launches Project Firewall to protect America's highly skilled workforce

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of Project Firewall, an H-1B enforcement initiative that will safeguard the rights, wages, and job opportunities of highly skilled American workers by ensuring employers prioritize qualified Americans when hiring workers and holding employers accountable if they abuse the H-1B visa process.

"The Trump Administration is standing by our commitment to endpractices that leave Americans in the dust. As we reestablish economic dominance, we must protect our most valuable resource: the American worker. Launching Project Firewall will help us ensure no employers are abusing H-1B visas at the expense of our workforce," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. "By rooting out fraud and abuse, the Department of Labor and our federal partners will ensure that highly skilled jobs go to Americans first."

As authorized by federal law, the department will conduct investigations of employers through Project Firewall to maximize H-1B program compliance. To achieve this goal, the Secretary of Labor will personally certify the initiation of investigations for the first time in the department's history. This historic action leverages existing authority granted to the Secretary if reasonable cause exists that an H-1B employer not in compliance.

Secretary-certified investigations, as well as other H-1B-related investigations, are important tools the department will use in Project Firewall to hold employers accountable and protect the rights of American workers. Violations may result in the collection of back wages owed to affected workers, the assessment of civil money penalties, and/or debarment from future use of the H-1B program for a prescribed period of time.

Additionally, the department will share information and coordinate with relevant government agencies, as permitted by law, to combat discrimination against American workers and ensure the law is properly enforced by leveraging the full force of the federal government.

Within the department, the Office of Immigration Policy, Employment and Training Administration, and Wage and Hour Divisionwill lead Project Firewall in collaboration with federal partners, including the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The Wage and Hour Division offers multiple H-1B compliance assistance resourcesto help employers follow the law. Employers and workers can contact the division with questions at its toll-free number, 1-866-4-US-WAGE (487-9243).