WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced today that he has cosponsored a bipartisan bill to ensure that American workers are given a fair shot at a fair wage for jobs before businesses seek to hire foreign workers through the H-1B and L-1 visa programs. These visa programs allow U.S. companies to employ non-immigrant foreign workers specializing in skilled technical work. But several companies have been accused of using them to displace American workers with cheaper labor from foreign workers. The H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act would close loopholes in the H-1B and L-1 visa programs and provide increased protections for both American workers and visa holders.

“We need to crack down on the fraud and abuse that allows corporations to avoid paying Americans fair wages and exploit foreign workers,” said Brown. “During his campaign, President Trump promised to increase oversight of our H-1B and L-1 visa programs and reform starts with this bipartisan legislation to ensure that American businesses are giving American workers a fair shot at good-paying jobs.”

The bill would require that employers first offer a vacant position to an equally or better qualified American worker before seeking an H-1B or L-1 visa holder. It would also establish wage requirements for L-1 workers and improve H-1B wage requirements to encourage companies to hire qualified American workers and prevent them from using foreign workers as a source of cheap labor.

Under the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform, the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would have additional oversight authority to investigate fraud and abuse as well as to increase penalties for companies that violate the bill’s requirements. The bill also requires DOL and DHS to share information so that visa petitions are effectively scrutinized.

###