US Department of Labor Starts Large Investigation into H-1B and PERM Visa Fraud
美國勞工部啟動大規模調查，打擊 H-1B 與 PERM 簽證欺詐
Introduction
The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General has started a nationwide investigation into claims of fraud and human trafficking related to work visa programs.
美國勞工部督察長辦公室已啟動一項全國性調查，針對與工作簽證計劃相關的欺詐和人口販運指控。
Main Body
The investigation, which is being done with federal law enforcement and a special Task Force, focuses on the H-1B visa and the Permanent Employment Certification (PERM) system. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) claims that there are organized schemes involving fake applications, forced labor, and illegal agreements where workers are forced to give back part of their wages. Inspector General Anthony P. D'Esposito emphasized that these activities cause American workers to lose their jobs and are often connected to international criminal organizations.
此次調查由聯邦執法部門與一個特別專案小組共同執行，重點關注 H-1B 簽證與永久僱用認證（PERM）系統。督察長辦公室（OIG）聲稱，目前存在有組織的計劃，涉及虛假申請、強迫勞動以及強迫員工返還部分薪資的非法協議。督察長 Anthony P. D'Esposito 強調，這些活動導致美國工人失去工作，且通常與國際犯罪組織有關。
Furthermore, the OIG has identified several large companies as a focus of the investigation based on reports from whistleblowers. For example, Cognizant has been mentioned regarding irregularities with PERM and H-1B visas, although the government has not made any formal accusations against the company. This effort is part of a larger plan led by Vice President JD Vance and FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson to recover federal money and reduce fraud. Because many Indian citizens use the H-1B program, Indian IT and healthcare companies will likely face stricter checks to ensure they follow the law.
此外，OIG 根據舉報人的報告，已將數家大公司列為調查重點。例如，Cognizant 被提及在 PERM 與 H-1B 簽證方面存在異常，儘管政府尚未對該公司提出正式指控。此次行動是副總統 JD Vance 與 FTC 主席 Andrew Ferguson 領導的一項旨在追回聯邦資金並減少欺詐之更大計劃的一部分。由於許多印度公民使用 H-1B 計畫，印度 IT 與醫療保健公司可能會面臨更嚴格的審查，以確保其遵守法律。
If the OIG confirms that labor exploitation or 'benching' (leaving workers without pay) is happening, the government plans to destroy the criminal networks involved. Consequently, the Department has set up a private hotline to collect information from both American citizens and foreign professionals, offering rewards for tips that lead to successful legal action.
如果 OIG 確認存在勞工剝削或「板凳期」（benching，指員工在無薪狀態下待命），政府計劃摧毀相關的犯罪網絡。因此，該部門已設立專屬熱線，以收集美國公民與外國專業人士的資訊，並針對能促成成功法律行動的舉報提供獎勵。
Conclusion
The U.S. government is now conducting a strict review of work visa practices to stop fraud and human trafficking.
美國政府目前正對工作簽證實務進行嚴格審查，以停止欺詐與人口販運。
Vocabulary Learning
⚡ The 'B2 Leap': From Basic Facts to Logical Flow
At the A2 level, you tell me things using and or but. To reach B2, you must show how ideas cause each other. This text is a goldmine for "Logical Connectors."
🧩 The Logic Map
Look at how the writer moves from a Cause to a Result.
1. The 'Therefore' Bridge: Consequently
- Text: "...the government plans to destroy the criminal networks... Consequently, the Department has set up a private hotline."
- A2 way: "The government wants to stop crime and they made a hotline."
- B2 way: Use Consequently to show that the hotline exists because of the plan to stop crime. It creates a professional, academic link.
2. The 'Adding More' Bridge: Furthermore
- Text: "Furthermore, the OIG has identified several large companies..."
- A2 way: "Also, they found some companies."
- B2 way: Furthermore signals to the reader: "I have finished my first point; now I am adding a more important or detailed piece of evidence."
🛠️ Level-Up Your Vocabulary
Instead of using simple words like bad or wrong, the text uses Precision Verbs. This is the secret to B2 fluency:
| A2 Word (Simple) | B2 Word (Precise) | Context from Text |
|---|---|---|
| Give | Recover | "...recover federal money" |
| Check | Ensure | "...ensure they follow the law" |
| Tell | Emphasized | "...emphasized that these activities..." |
💡 Pro Tip: When you write your next email or essay, replace one "also" with Furthermore and one "so" with Consequently. You will instantly sound more advanced.