Project Firewall explained: Why the US is investigating H-1B pay and job claims

For decades, the H-1B visa has been the bridge that connects global talent to the American dream. It allows highly skilled professionals to work in the United States in specialised fields like technology, engineering, and healthcare.

Each year, the program draws hundreds of thousands of applications from graduates hoping to turn their U.S. education into a long-term career opportunity.But that bridge is now under closer scrutiny. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has launched 175 investigations into possible misuse of the H-1B visa program, according to a report by Fox News. The move, part of an initiative known as Project Firewall, is designed to curb wage violations, fake job postings, and other forms of non-compliance that officials say undermine both American and foreign workers.The probes have already uncovered over $15 million in unpaid wages, revealing a pattern of underpayment and misrepresentation among some employers using the visa system.

Inside the investigations

According to Fox News, Federal investigators uncovered numerous LCA violations, including falsified or misleading documentation. Some companies listed nonexistent work sites, while others issued generic or copied job postings that failed to properly notify American workers of new openings.

The DOL also found cases where employers failed to inform U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after terminating H-1B employees — sometimes delaying such notifications for months. In several instances, workers were subjected to “benching,” or unpaid periods between projects, a direct violation of federal labor law.

Why workers are wary

For H-1B employees, these revelations highlight just how precarious their position can be.

Their legal status in the U.S. is tied to their sponsoring employer, so a delayed paycheck or a sudden job loss can threaten both income and immigration standing.The Department of Labor has said Project Firewall is designed to protect all workers — American and foreign alike — by holding employers accountable for wage and reporting violations. Yet for many employees, stricter enforcement also means more audits and paperwork, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already complex system.

Impact on Indian professionals and students

Indians continue to make up the largest share of H-1B visa holders, making these investigations particularly significant for young professionals and graduates hoping to build careers in the U.S.For students currently studying in America on F-1 or OPT visas, the shifting landscape around H-1B rules serves as a reminder to understand visa regulations before signing an offer letter. Knowing how wages, job descriptions, and sponsorship commitments are structured can help avoid future disputes or compliance issues.Experts believe that while tighter oversight may feel restrictive in the short term, it could eventually lead to more transparency, fairer pay, and stronger protections for skilled workers from India and beyond.

Changing rules, changing reality

The investigations come at a time of broader reform. The U.S. government has rolled out new filing fees and documentation requirements for H-1B petitions, signaling a tougher stance on companies accused of exploiting the system.Employers are now under pressure to maintain wage integrity and proper reporting. For workers, this means the H-1B pathway — long seen as a gateway to global careers — may soon come with stricter checks but also fairer ground.

What every worker should know

Looking ahead

As the federal probes continue, they could redefine how companies manage high-skilled hiring — and how foreign professionals navigate their careers in the U.S. For thousands of Indian students and professionals, the message is clear: understanding your rights isn’t just smart — it’s essential for building a stable and fair career abroad.