As detailed in this article from www.itbusinessedge.com, officials of Dibon Solutions, a sponsor employer of H-1B visa workers, were recently arrested by Federal authorities for criminal charges for conspiracy to commit visa fraud and wire fraud. The Federal indictment was filed under seal on February 20, 2013 with the U.S. District Court, Northern District of [...]
Our H-1B worker readers are probably familiar with employers recruiting foreign workers holding OPT/CPT as an alternative to H-1B employment. Some employers do this to avoid the restrictions that come with H-1B visas, such as having to pay the required wage to H-1B workers at all times, even while between work projects or on the [...]
Consular officers are taking a more active role to stop employer abuse of the H-1B program, by reporting H-1B employer’s suspected wage violations to the Department of Labor (DOL) for investigation, based on information the officers obtained during visa interviews with workers. The officers’ interest is good news to the extent unlawful H-1B employer practices are being challenged. The [...]
A U.S. employer’s representative has pleaded guilty to running an H-1B visa scam targeting foreign students whose visas were set to expire and who apparently were seeking a follow-on employer sponsor who would enable them to remain in the United States and work. The employer representative, Srinivas Doppalapudi, 45, a U.S. permanent resident originally from India, pleaded [...]
Starting a new employer relationship can be risky. You never know if the employer’s representatives are good people who will follow the rules and treat you right, or if they are just talking a good game and are actually out to exploit you and your immigration status. There is no fool proof way to predict [...]
Due to a new requirement by at least one U.S. consulate in India, H-1B employees now face a new risk of a permanent bar from the United States for unlawful actions by their H-1B employers. The U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad, as shown in a document obtained by AILA, is now requiring H-1B employees who will be [...]
The H-1B employees who were originally indicted as co-conspirators in connection with Vision Systems work visa fraud scheme have either plead guilty to reduced charges or had charges dismissed last year. Apparently, these results were in exchange for the H-1B workers cooperating with the investigation and prosecution of their employer. Most of those who plead guilty did [...]
H-1B and other employers who run work visa scams have more to fear than just the Department of Labor for their violations. These employers increasingly are facing criminal convictions and imprisonment on charges typically used against organized crime and trafficking rings, such as the Mafia. In the past several months, federal prosecutors have publicized several cases against [...]
Image by iBrow via Flickr If you are an H-1B worker who has been benched for months and months, despite your best efforts to find a project, you may find yourself communicating less and less with your H-1B employer. Maybe you’ve even stopped contact altogether. Please know you should not reduce communications with your H-1B [...]
USCIS has released more details about its new fraud detection program marked by surprise site visits, according to AILA. During DHS’ recent program on employment-based visa fraud, the Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) office, explained the three types of site visits it is conducting: 1. Risk Assessment Program fraud study. These visits involve any [...]
