JD Vance Backs H-1B Investigation, Says Jobs Should Benefit American Citizens First

US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday defended the Trump administration's investigation into alleged visa fraud involving the H-1B and PERM employment programmes, saying American jobs should be prioritised for American workers. His remarks came as federal authorities intensified scrutiny of programmes that allow US employers to hire foreign professionals for specialised roles.

Speaking at an event in Milwaukee, Vance said the administration's actions were aimed at preventing misuse of employment-based visa systems while protecting taxpayer interests. "We're fighting for your taxpayer money, but we're also making sure that fraudsters don't take advantage of these visa programs," he said.

The vice president described the H-1B visa programme as a system originally designed to attract highly skilled professionals to the United States, particularly in fields such as technology, science and medicine. He said the programme was intended to provide opportunities for individuals with specialised expertise rather than become a route for fraudulent practices. "This is a visa program that was set up to ensure that if you are a brilliant technology person or a brilliant scientist or a brilliant doctor, you could come to the United States and get access to this visa program," Vance said during his address.

Vance highlighted what he called a basic principle behind the administration's approach to immigration and employment policies. "American jobs ought to go to American workers and not foreign fraudsters," he said, arguing that enforcement measures were necessary to ensure that existing visa programmes function as intended.

The H-1B visa programme allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialised occupations, including technology, engineering, healthcare and research. The PERM programme, meanwhile, is a labour certification process that employers typically use as part of applications for permanent employment-based immigration.

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Both programmes have long been debated in the US, with supporters saying they help businesses access global talent and critics arguing that they can be misused to reduce opportunities for American workers. The latest investigation reflects broader concerns within the Trump administration about potential abuse of employment-based immigration pathways. Authorities have previously raised concerns over fraudulent applications, improper recruitment practices and companies allegedly using visa programmes in ways that do not align with their intended purpose.

Supporters of stricter enforcement argue that stronger oversight is needed to protect American workers and ensure that foreign labour programmes are not exploited. However, business groups and technology companies have often maintained that skilled foreign professionals play an important role in filling specialised positions where domestic talent shortages exist.

As the investigation continues, US officials are expected to examine whether employers and applicants have complied with existing rules governing H-1B and PERM visas. The outcome could influence future policies surrounding employment-based immigration and the balance between protecting domestic workers and maintaining access to global expertise.

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