H-1B Visa Update: Texas Targets ‘Ghost Offices’ in Fraud Probe
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a civil investigation into nearly 30 North Texas businesses suspected of using 'ghost offices' to fraudulently sponsor H-1B visa workers. The probe targets companies allegedly listing non-operational sites as legitimate worksites to meet federal visa requirements. No criminal charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing.
- ▪Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued civil investigative demands to nearly 30 North Texas businesses suspected of H-1B visa fraud.
- ▪The investigation focuses on companies allegedly using 'ghost offices,' such as vacant buildings or virtual spaces, to falsely claim legitimate U.S. operations.
- ▪Named companies under scrutiny include Tekpro IT LLC, Fame PBX LLC, 1st Ranking Technologies LLC, Qubitz Tech Systems LLC, and Blooming Clouds LLC.
- ▪State officials emphasize that the civil investigative demands are fact-finding measures and do not indicate proven wrongdoing.
- ▪Texas is using state-level enforcement tools to investigate federal visa program abuse, a rare approach among U.S. states.
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By Sam StevensonAssociate News EditorShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued civil investigative demands to nearly 30 North Texas businesses accused of using “ghost offices” to sponsor H-1B visa workers fraudulently.The action escalates a state-level crackdown on alleged abuse of a federal visa program that has drawn increased political scrutiny in Texas.“I will not allow the H-1B program to be abused by bad actors seeking to use it as a loophole for allowing foreign nationals to invade Texas,” said Paxton.
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