The Department of Labor has blocked four companies from participating in the H-1B visa program after federal officials designated them as “willful violators” of labor rules governing the employment of foreign workers.
The employers named by the Labor Department are GowraTech, LLC; Renotek Group LLC; Seeloz, Inc.; and Sherwood at Mount Dora, Inc., doing business as Sherwood Academy.
Their debarment periods extend into 2027 and 2028, depending on the company.
The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division maintains a public list of employers that have been barred or disqualified from participating in the H-1B program.
The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for specialized occupations that typically require a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualifications.
Employers participating in the program must comply with federal requirements involving wages, working conditions, and protections for both U.S. and foreign workers.
A “willful violator” designation is reserved for employers found to have committed serious violations of H-1B requirements.
According to the Labor Department, the designation applies when officials determine an employer willfully failed to meet program requirements or made a material misrepresentation connected to labor requirements.
The Labor Department lists GowraTech, LLC, as barred from May 12, 2025, through May 11, 2027. Renotek Group LLC is listed from Aug. 8, 2025, through Aug. 7, 2027. Seeloz, Inc. is barred from March 4, 2026, through March 3, 2028, and Sherwood at Mount Dora, Inc., doing business as Sherwood Academy, is listed from May 26, 2026, through May 25, 2028.
The penalties target the companies themselves and do not automatically cancel the immigration status of current H-1B workers employed by those businesses, Newsweek reported.
Individual outcomes depend on factors including approved petitions, employment circumstances, and available legal options.
The action comes as federal officials increase efforts to investigate potential abuse of employment-based visa programs.
The Department of Labor Office of Inspector General announced an investigation into alleged H-1B and PERM visa fraud, including claims involving fraudulent applications, wage violations, and worker exploitation.
Labor officials have said the expanded enforcement effort is intended to protect both American workers and foreign employees from companies that misuse visa programs.
“Some companies treat H-1B as a get rich quick scam,” Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony P. D’Esposito wrote on X, adding, “If you’re screwing over American workers, we’re coming for you.”
The crackdown comes as demand for H-1B visas remains high.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it received enough petitions to reach the fiscal year 2027 cap, including 65,000 regular H-1B visas and 20,000 additional spots reserved for applicants with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions.
The latest enforcement actions highlight the administration’s continued focus on H-1B compliance as demand for skilled-worker visas remains high.
The move comes amid a broader debate over the role of foreign workers in the U.S. labor market.
Critics of the H-1B program argue companies should prioritize qualified American workers before turning to foreign labor, while supporters say the program helps employers fill specialized positions where domestic talent may be limited.
Some critics have also argued that penalties against companies accused of violating H-1B rules do not go far enough, calling for stronger enforcement measures to prevent abuse of the program.
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