The H-2B visa program assists U.S. employers anticipating a shortage of domestic nonagricultural workers by permitting them to hire nonimmigrant foreign workers temporarily. The program is overseen by several agencies, including the Department of Labor (Labor), the Department of Homeland Security’s United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Department of State. Employers often hire labor recruiters or other intermediaries to assist with the process of obtaining labor certifications and finding foreign workers. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to determine if there were examples of recruiters and employers engaging in illegal or fraudulent activity within the H-2B visa program. The GAO recently released its report that details multiple accounts of abuse by H-2B recruiters and employers.
The H-2B visa program assists U.S. employers anticipating a shortage of domestic nonagricultural workers by permitting them to hire nonimmigrant foreign workers temporarily. The program is overseen by several agencies, including the Department of Labor (Labor), the Department of Homeland Security’s United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Department of State. Employers often hire labor recruiters or other intermediaries to assist with the process of obtaining labor certifications and finding foreign workers. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to determine if there were examples of recruiters and employers engaging in illegal or fraudulent activity within the H-2B visa program. The GAO recently released its report that details multiple accounts of abuse by H-2B recruiters and employers.
To read the full GAO report, click here.