By: Sreelatha Babu | July 9, 2026
On July 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (DOL OIG) announced a nationwide enforcement initiative and investigation targeting H-1B visa fraud, PERM-related fraud, and human trafficking, signaling a significant increase in enforcement activity involving employment-based immigration programs.
While the announcement does not change employers’ legal obligations, it sends a clear message that the government intends to devote additional investigative resources to identifying fraud and abuse involving H-1B, PERM, H-2A, and H-2B programs. Employers should take this opportunity to review their immigration compliance practices and documentation.
What the DOL Announced
The DOL OIG announced that it is intensifying investigations into schemes involving:
- Fraudulent H-1B and PERM applications;
- Human trafficking and labor…
Insurance fraud involves making false or exaggerated claims to an insurance provider.
- Hard Fraud: Someone deliberately causes a loss (e.g., setting fire to a warehouse or staging a car accident) specifically to collect a payout.
- Soft Fraud: More common and often viewed as “victimless” by the perpetrator. It involves exaggerating a legitimate claim, such as overstating the value of stolen items in a home burglary to cover the deductible.