"Project Firewall", an initiative targeting H-1B visas, was launched by the US Department of Labor on Friday. It followed after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that requires $1,00,000 for every H-1B petition, believed to align with his "America First" agenda.
According to the US Department of Labor, Project Firewall is meant to safeguard wages and ensure opportunities in high-skilled jobs for American workers, and punish those who misuse the H-1 B program.
— U.S. Department of Labor (@USDOL) September 19, 2025
With the project, Trump will push his pledge to curb foreign visas. In a press release, the Department said, "The Trump administration is standing by our commitment to end practices that leave Americans in the dust. As we reestablish economic dominance, we must protect our most valuable resource: the American worker."
All you need to know about Project FirewallProject Firewall is an initiative launched by the US Department of Labor to ensure that the H-1B Visa program isn't misused or exploited by employers in America. It aims to protect American workers by scrutinising those companies that hire foreign workers, particularly in high-skilled sectors such as technology.
It might be tough for those companies that are heavily dependent on H-1B workers, as they will now face strict scrutiny, high costs, and complex compliance requirements. For the Americans, it is being pushed as "protection against job displacement." With Project Firewall and the newly signed order of $1,00,000 annual H-1B fee, it will possibly shape the tech industry, further making it costlier for US firms to hire foreign talent. This can largely impact Indians, who comprise nearly three-quarters (71% last year) of all H-1B recipients.
The firms in US Silicon Valley might face a setback with high expenses, a tighter hiring procedure, and a delay in vital projects that require specialised engineers and programmers. With not enough skilled workers graduating from American universities, Trump's decision might affect innovation, competitiveness, and deepen the talent gap, as the country faces competition in AI, semiconductors, and advanced tech.
The H-1B investigations will be personally scrutinised by the Secretary of Labor, which suggests the seriousness of the move. The companies suspected of H-1B fraud or abuse will be investigated by the Department, as well as other government agencies, which will coordinate with it on the project. They will be carried over by a "reasonable cause" that an employer is not abiding by visa rules. Those who will be found violating the rules will face:
Repayment of back wages to the workers who are affected
Civil money penalty charge
Debarment for a fixed interval from the H-1B program​