Trump Targets H-1B Abuse; Cognizant Named

New Delhi: Cognizant has come under scrutiny in the Donald Trump administration’s first major investigation into allegations of fraud related to the H-1B and PERM work visa programs.

U.S. Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito said investigators had issued dozens of subpoenas as part of what he described as the administration’s most aggressive effort yet to combat foreign labor fraud.

D’Esposito named the IT services giant when outlining the large-scale research. However, officials did not disclose the specific allegations against Cognizant or details of the ongoing investigation.

The investigation is examining suspected abuses in the H-1B program, which allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in specialized occupations, and the PERM labor certification process used for employment-based green card applications.

The investigation points to a tougher enforcement approach by the Trump administration towards work visa compliance.