The Trump administration from the campaign trail to the Oval Office have vowed to fight illegal immigration and fraud of all kinds. Among the many forms of immigration fraud, the United States has seen in recent decades, almost none have been more prevalent than through the H1B visa program. Especially in recent months, American companies are firing American workers and importing thousands of foreign workers, usually from India, to replace them.

It has become a growing frustration among Americans, especially recent college graduates, as it has created an intolerable job market for most. Very educated and skilled Americans are being kicked to the curb in favor of lower skilled, lower paid foreigners who do half the quality of job. In their efforts to combat the abuse of this system, the Trump administration has launched its first large scale investigation into H1B visa fraud.

Jessica Vaughan of the Center for Immigration Studies says the visa program has essentially been hijacked now by staffing companies, who funnel in foreign workers to undercut Americans.

"Not only are they not very highly skilled, but many have obtained their visas by outright fraud...lying about their degree, their expected salary, etc.," she says.

While there is no true statistic on how many have lied on their visa applications, we know that it happens. Some politicians have suggested it is upwards of 80-percent who have lied in some form when applying for their visas.

It is not just dishonorable to American workers; it makes the country look like a joke. The visa program has openly been abused for years, yet no one has done anything about it. Indian CEO's keep firing thousands of Americans to replace with thousands of Indian H1B employees. Most of whom are woefully underqualified, underkilled and overpaid.

But it gets worse. Because these visas have a catch.

"These visas have a direct path to a green card, so it is important we snuff out this fraud and abuse...for one reason, for the integrity of our visa program," says Vaughan. "But also, these are white collar jobs being taken by visa workers...mostly at the entry level...and college graduates are now having to compete with these visa workers."

Let's be honest too, any money hungry employer is going to look at a college graduate, who commands a higher salary. Then compare them to an H1B, who has lied about their qualifications but will take less money. Ninety-nine times out of one hundred, they are taking the H1B hire. Solely because it saves money.

There is an even bigger problem though, as more fraud and abuse become unveiled. The Labor Department reported recently they have found some of this visa fraud has links to criminal organizations.

"That means there is an impact on public safety, as well as the job market," Vaughan says.

Vaughan adds that getting rid of these labor contractors in the program would be a good first step to fixing the problem.

San Antonio's First News