The Department of Justice (DOJ) is making a concerted effort to address potential unfair hiring practices that disadvantage American workers. Specifically, the DOJ is urging US citizens to report employers who may be giving undue preference to foreign workers, particularly those on H-1B and seasonal visas. This initiative was announced by Harmeet Dhillon, President Donald Trump’s assistant attorney general for civil rights.
The call to action from the DOJ came as a response to concerns that certain job postings explicitly favor visa holders, including applicants for H-1B visas. These reports can extend to include potential violations of human trafficking laws associated with temporary visa programs. In a message aimed at American workers potentially affected by such practices, Dhillon stated, “Are you an American citizen who has been harmed by inappropriate preferences for foreign workers, eg H1-B or other? Follow the link. It’s also a place to report human trafficking of immigrant workers, and Title VII employment discrimination.”
This move by the DOJ arrives amid a broader debate over the H-1B visa program, which is designed to allow companies to employ skilled foreign workers in specialized fields such as technology and education. While some argue that the program enriches the US economy by bringing in top talent from around the world, critics, including Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, contend that it enables corporations to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor—a concern echoed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in a recent interview.
The H-1B visa program is subject to annual caps, with 65,000 standard visas and an additional 20,000 for advanced-degree holders allocated for the fiscal year 2026. These visas target highly skilled professionals across various sectors, fostering international expertise within the US workforce. Nonetheless, the current administration is reevaluating the program as part of a wider visa review, covering all 55 million foreigners with valid US visas to ensure compliance with US laws and safeguard against potential threats.
The DOJ's initiative underscores the administration's commitment to prioritizing American workers and intensifies the scrutiny on businesses utilizing foreign labor. It is a clear message from the federal government that it is prepared to intervene when employers disregard legal and ethical hiring standards. The combination of citizen tip collection, visa program oversight, and vocal opposition from figures like Sanders and DeSantis pressures companies to reevaluate hiring practices that may marginalize US citizens. As the nation grapples with balancing the welcome of skilled immigrants and the protection of domestic employment, the DOJ's call for citizen reports signifies a willingness to take definitive action against those who flout the law.
