Sessions, Durbin Issue Statement on DHS Declining to Investigate H-1B Visa Abuses

Statement

U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest, joined with Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) in releasing the following joint statement today regarding the Department of Homeland Security's response to their request for an investigation of Southern California Edison and other companies that displaced American workers with guest workers:

"We were disappointed by the reply we received from the Department of Homeland Security to the bipartisan request from 10 Senators seeking an investigation into abuses of the H-1B visa program.

The reply letter was non-responsive, failing to address the questions presented. Director Rodriquez merely stated that "it would premature for USCIS to speculate as to whether Southern California Edison's participation in the H-1B program violated any laws.' We did not ask for speculation; we asked for an investigation, and an explanation of any legal obstacles to conducting such an investigation. Why will the Department of Homeland Security not conduct one? Does DHS have insufficient legal authority to conduct such an investigation? This letter does not tell us. There are legions of displaced Americans formerly employed by Southern California Edison and many other companies who deserve answers.

Congress has a responsibility to ensure that the law does not permit employers to abuse our visa programs to undercut domestic wages and workers. If USCIS believes existing law does not prevent these activities, then the law must be changed."

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