The Department of Justice is now calling on Americans to report employers who give preference to foreign workers over U.S. citizens in hiring, particularly in H-1B and seasonal visa programs.
DOJ officials said citizens can flag “discriminatory” job postings that explicitly favor visa holders, including H-1B applicants.
Tips can also cover potential human trafficking violations related to temporary visa programs.
Harmeet Dhillon, President Donald Trump’s assistant attorney general for civil rights, urged Americans on X to report cases where foreign workers are prioritized over U.S. employees.
She wrote, “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.”
The move comes amid growing criticism of the H-1B visa program, which allows companies to hire skilled foreign workers in fields like technology, medicine, engineering, and education, per Fox News.
Opponents say the program undercuts U.S. talent, while supporters argue it strengthens the economy.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) has repeatedly slammed the program, calling it a way for corporations to replace high-paying American jobs with lower-cost foreign labor.
In January, he posted on X, “The main function of the H-1B visa program and other guest worker initiatives is not to hire ‘the best and the brightest,’ but rather to replace good-paying American jobs with low-wage indentured servants from abroad. The cheaper the labor they hire, the more money the billionaires make.”
H-1B visas are capped annually.
For fiscal year 2026, 65,000 standard visas and an additional 20,000 for advanced-degree holders have already been allocated. They are intended for highly skilled workers in architecture, engineering, mathematics, social sciences, medicine, education, business specialties, accounting, law, theology, and the arts.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) criticized the program, calling it a “total scam” in an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham.
He said companies exploit the system by laying off Americans while securing new H-1B hires and renewing existing visa holders.
“A lot of times people used to say, ‘Well, you know, we’re getting the cream of the crop from all around the world.’ The reality is that’s not actually what H-1Bs are. Most of them are from one country, India. There’s a cottage industry about how all those people make money off this system,” DeSantis added.
The Trump administration is already undertaking a massive visa review, covering all 55 million foreigners currently holding valid U.S. visas. A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that this continuous vetting ensures compliance with U.S. law.
Visas can be revoked for overstays, criminal activity, public safety threats, or involvement in terrorism.
The DOJ initiative signals heightened scrutiny on companies using foreign labor programs, reinforcing the administration’s push to prioritize American workers.
The combination of tip collection, oversight of visa programs, and high-profile criticism from figures like Sanders and DeSantis puts pressure on businesses to rethink hiring practices that may disadvantage U.S. citizens.
As America debates the balance between welcoming skilled immigrants and protecting domestic employment, the DOJ’s call for citizen reports makes it clear the federal government is willing to take action against employers who flout the law and sideline American workers.
