The anti-immigration policies of the second Trump administration are expanding beyond mass deportations. An initiative announced by the United States Department of Labor (DOL) would directly impact the ability of employers to hire foreign skilled workers through the H-1B visa program. With a September 2025 press release, the DOL launched “Project Firewall,” a compliance initiative to ostensibly protect American workers by demanding strict compliance with the H-1B visa process through certified investigations. Keep reading as the experienced immigration attorneys from KS Visa Law, a premier provider of immigration services in San Diego, explain how Project Firewall may affect both employers and employees who participate in the H-1B visa program.
Expanded Investigative Oversight
Project Firewall is historic because it marks the first time the DOL is directly involved in the H-1B program. According to what has been announced thus far, the Secretary of Labor would certify investigations into H-1B practices at the employer level.
Before Project Firewall, H-1B investigations mostly involved administrative and compliance inquiries conducted by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The sponsoring employers were randomly selected for compliance reviews. In some cases, the investigations were prompted by irregularities or complaints. Under Project Firewall, the DOL has broad authority to select employers for H-1B investigations.
The DOL announcement specifically mentions that Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer has broad authority to personally certify H-1B investigations. This means she could target employers and industries as long as she declares reasonable cause under the authority granted to the DOL by federal laws. As seen by the draconian and overzealous actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents this year, the White House and the federal government routinely redefine the boundaries of reasonable cause.
Valid Concerns over Political Motivation
As with other governance, oversight, and legal processes under the current administration, the Project Firewall initiative could easily be misused as a political tool. The White House has shown no restraint in weaponizing federal agencies, including the Justice Department, for propaganda and political vindication. The DOL would not be an exception to this effect. Earlier this year, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer praised President Trump’s firing of Erika McEntarfer, the former Commissioner of Labor Statistics, after correcting the national unemployment rate.
Using artificial intelligence tools to generate videos with patriotic imagery, the DOL has also launched a social media campaign claiming that increased H-1B visa enforcement helps to “recapture the American Dream” for young workers. Such campaigns suggest the DOL is taking a political stance that aligns with the anti-immigration policies pushed by the White House.
Employers who use the H-1B visa program for staffing and business development purposes should be mindful of the current political climate. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to think the DOL could launch sector-wide investigations at the whim of White House officials. For this reason, H-1B compliance is more important than ever. Navigating the current high-risk environment is crucial to avoid monetary penalties and H-1B program suspensions.
This is a good time to conduct internal audits and retain an immigration law firm to review H-1B visa procedures. Instead of taking a reactive approach to handling Requests for Evidence (RFEs), employers should take a proactive approach to prepare for potential DOL investigations.
If you need to know more about H-1B visas, seek the advice of experienced immigration attorneys. San Diego residents should reach out to the experienced immigration lawyers at KS Visa Law. We can assist you with a wide variety of immigration-related issues, including family and employment immigration. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
