announcement<\/a> that the Civil Division\u2019s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) will begin enforcing the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that prohibit employers from discriminating against U.S. citizens when hiring employees. IER\u2019s precursor, the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices often prioritized employment discrimination complaints filed by foreigners \u2013 even illegal aliens \u2013 over those submitted by U.S. citizens.<\/p>\nAgency statements are a dime a dozen in Washington, D.C., and the H-1B program could still use a stem to stern overhaul. Its loose structure and inconsistent vetting procedures makes it attractive to fraudsters. It\u2019s also a magnet for educated foreign intelligence operatives and degreed terrorists seeking a relatively easy method of entry into the United States \u2013 a particular concern in the age of cyber-crime, given the program\u2019s high-tech bent. However, after years of the DOL blatantly refusing to engage in meaningful immigration enforcement activities, and decades of the DOJ defending the rights of alien workers, to the detriment of U.S. employees, these are definite moves in the right direction.<\/p>\n
President Trump has consistently said that he came to D.C. to \u201cdrain the swamp.\u201d It looks like there\u2019s a new sheriff in town and he\u2019s just told his deputies, \u201cHit the streets and protect the American worker!\u201d