The Department of Justice, under President Donald Trump, is making significant moves to protect American workers from discrimination linked to the H-1B visa program. Led by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, the Civil Rights Division is investigating hiring practices that favor foreign labor over qualified American candidates. “We have several open investigations and have taken action against some employers already… Send us your leads!” Dhillon stated, encouraging the public to report any discriminatory hiring practices.
The issue is pressing. The H-1B visa program has been a source of controversy for years, allowing companies to hire foreign workers at lower wages. Reports have emerged indicating that some U.S. companies and job search platforms are conspiring against American workers. These entities allegedly bury job advertisements in obscure places to avoid attracting qualified American applicants. Instead, jobs are directed to foreign workers, exploiting loopholes in the visa system.
This discovery prompted a grassroots initiative named Jobs.Now, dedicated to uncovering these hidden job opportunities and ensuring they are available to American workers. “The mission of Jobs.Now is to get Americans access to quality jobs in their own country,” the group asserted. Their efforts highlight a growing concern among American workers who feel sidelined in their own job market.
Dhillon elaborated on the initiative during a statement made to InfoWars, saying, “Through our Protecting U.S. Workers Initiative, the Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights section has numerous open investigations into hiring practices that discriminate against American citizens, and the list continues to grow.” This statement reflects a commitment not only to investigate but also to act against companies that violate employment rights.
The concern is echoed by many observers who remember similar discriminatory practices from the past, such as the infamous “No Irish Need Apply” signs. Today, American workers are facing a contemporary version of this exclusion, as “H1B Only” job postings signify a trend where foreign workers are prioritized over local talent. As highlighted by Trump’s Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, “The current H1B visa system is a scam that lets foreign workers fill American job opportunities. Hiring American workers should be the priority of all great American businesses.”
Despite these investigations, the DOJ has yet to fully signal a willingness to dismantle the H-1B program. The program currently allows 85,000 new visas per year, not accounting for renewals, which keeps many foreign workers in place. Critics point out that this system effectively binds these workers to their employers, creating a power imbalance where foreign labor can be treated differently than American workers.
The implications of these findings are significant for the American labor market. Discriminatory job practices that favor visa holders lead to the disenfranchisement of native-born workers. By acknowledging and addressing these issues, the DOJ aims to level the playing field for American job seekers.
This robust approach reflects a shift in priorities within the administration, focusing on American labor rights and fair hiring practices. As investigations unfold, it remains to be seen how widespread these discriminatory practices are and what changes may come to the H-1B visa program in the future. For now, the message is clear: the Trump administration is taking steps to put Americans back in the driver’s seat of the job market.
"*" indicates required fields
