Summary
Texas is investigating three North Texas businesses for allegedly misusing the H-1B visa program, which allows companies to hire skilled foreign workers. The investigation is still early, with no criminal charges announced yet, and the companies have not been identified publicly. Texas has also paused new H-1B applications, an extension of federal efforts to tighten rules around these visas.
Key Facts
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is leading the investigation.
- The focus is on three businesses accused of creating fake offices to fraudulently sponsor H-1B visas.
- No criminal charges have been filed, and the businesses have not been named.
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott has paused new H-1B applications until May 2027.
- H-1B visas are used to hire foreign workers in specialized fields like technology and engineering.
- A fee of $100,000 for certain H-1B petitions was imposed under the Trump administration.
- Efforts to tighten regulations around H-1B visas have been supported by some and criticized by others.
