Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor suddenly announced the launch of an enforcement initiative called “Project Firewall,” which has attracted global attention.
Simply put, the U.S. government is conducting a comprehensive health check and overhaul of the H-1B visa program!
The goal is to protect domestic U.S. workers and combat the abuse of H-1B high-skilled work visas.
What exactly is “Project Firewall”?
This “Project Firewall” is a large-scale H-1B visa compliance initiative led by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Its core objectives are:
To ensure that companies prioritize U.S. workers when hiring;
To prevent employers from using H-1B visas to bring in “cheap labor”;
To impose heavy penalties on non-compliant companies.
Most notably, the Secretary of Labor will personally confirm the initiation of investigations! Previously, investigations required employee complaints, but now the government can take proactive action whenever it suspects issues. This is a first in U.S. history.
How strict is this initiative?
In one sentence: the strictest in history!
• Past H-1B application documents may be re-examined;
• Corporate wages and job arrangements will be subject to focused audits;
• Employers found in violation may face fines of up to $51,500 and could be barred from H-1B eligibility for several years;
• Inter-departmental data sharing: The Department of Labor will share data with the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to precisely identify potential non-compliant employers and coordinate enforcement.
The industry generally believes this is the U.S. government's toughest visa rectification action to date.
What does this mean for H-1B applicants?
The reality is harsh: H-1B lotteries are becoming more difficult, shifting from a game of luck to a game of salary (the lottery will be weighted by wage levels; low-wage positions may have almost no chance of selection or even be excluded from the lottery), employers are becoming more cautious, compliance costs are increasing significantly, and policy uncertainty is higher. Everything depends on: whether your employer is willing to take the risk; whether your salary meets the requirements (and may be significantly increased in the future); whether your job position and application materials are 100% consistent; and whether your company will be placed on an investigation list, etc.
Many people are affected by these policies when applying for visas, changing jobs, or renewing. More and more people are beginning to realize that H-1B means putting your future in the hands of others (employers and policies).
As H-1B becomes increasingly difficult, where is the path forward?
The answer is becoming clearer: more and more families are turning their attention to EB-5 investment immigration.
The reasons are simple:
✔ No lottery
✔ No reliance on an employer
✔ No requirements regarding job position or salary
✔ One application allows the investor and their family (spouse and unmarried children under 21) to obtain a Green Card
✔ Freedom to work, start a business, and reside anywhere
Compared to the tightening, high-salary requirements, elitism, stricter regulations, and higher costs of the H-1B, the EB-5 program puts you in control.
Now is the golden window for EB-5
The launch of “Project Firewall” means the rules of the H-1B era are being rewritten. For companies, this is a major compliance test; for individuals, this is a watershed moment for status planning.
Want to stay and develop in the U.S.? Secure your status first! Early planning and early submission are the only ways to stand firm during policy storms.
Under the new EB-5 law, rural EB-5 projects are exempt from visa backlogs and benefit from priority processing; the “concurrent filing” policy allows applicants in the U.S. to file Form I-526E and Form I-485 simultaneously, enabling them to obtain a Combo card in about 3 months, quickly achieving legal residency and work authorization.
Worldway has three high-quality rural EB-5 projects in hand, helping investors avoid backlogs, quickly obtain U.S. Green Cards, and open up a more relaxed and wonderful new life for their families. Global quotas are limited, first come, first served; don't miss this opportunity!
Important Reminder
Collaborating for the fourth time to replicate success
Worldway and the multi-billion dollar fund Peachtree Group launch a new legendary project
“North Carolina Sugar Mountain • Hilton Hotel” EB-5 Rural Project
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