H-1B Visa Scrutiny in 2025: What it Means for Employers and Immigrant Workers in Pennsylvania

In recent weeks, new scrutiny of the H-1B visa program has made national headlines — again. A recent Newsweek article details increased federal attention to potential abuse and fraud within the H-1B system, especially concerning IT contractors and smaller staffing firms. For many in Pennsylvania’s growing technology and healthcare sectors, these developments raise serious questions: Will valid visa holders be swept up in enforcement efforts? Will employers face new hurdles to hiring global talent?

The H-1B Visa in Context

The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in “specialty occupations,” typically requiring at least a bachelor’s degree. These fields include tech, engineering, healthcare, and increasingly, education and finance. Each year, up to 85,000 new H-1B visas are issued through a lottery — a number far below demand. This has made the visa extremely competitive and, in some circles, controversial.

In 2024, the Biden Administration implemented a new lottery system designed to cut down on duplicate registrations and perceived abuse. While this was largely welcomed, it also came with a renewed enforcement lens — one now making waves in 2025.

2025: A Year of Crackdown

The Newsweek article highlights how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have ramped up investigations into companies that sponsor H-1B workers. DHS recently announced that over 400 companies are under review for potentially violating the terms of the H-1B program, with audits and site visits becoming more common. In some cases, USCIS is looking into whether the job is truly “specialized,” whether the wage offered meets prevailing standards, and whether the work location matches the initial petition. Firms that hire H-1B workers and then place them at third-party worksites — a common model in IT consulting — are especially under the microscope.

Why This Matters in Pennsylvania

While states like California, Texas, and New York have long dominated H-1B usage, Pennsylvania has quietly become a critical hub for foreign talent, especially in Allentown, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the Lehigh Valley. The state’s medical institutions, universities, tech startups, and manufacturing companies all rely heavily on foreign professionals to fill essential roles.

For example, Pennsylvania’s healthcare system, one of the largest in the nation, increasingly turns to H-1B doctors and specialists to fill shortages in rural areas. Similarly, tech companies in Pittsburgh and Allentown — often backed by federal and state innovation grants — seek engineers, AI researchers, and software developers from around the globe.

Yet, the increased scrutiny now threatens to destabilize this fragile supply of skilled labor.

What Employers and Applicants Should Watch Out For

For employers in Pennsylvania, now is the time to get proactive. USCIS has signaled that compliance is no longer optional — even good-faith mistakes can lead to Requests for Evidence (RFEs), denials, or worse, investigations. Companies should ensure:

• The job clearly qualifies as a “specialty occupation”

• The offered wage meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for the location and role

• All worksite addresses are accurately reported

• Employees are not “benched” or unpaid during non-productive periods

For H-1B visa holders, especially those in transition (moving between employers, adjusting status, or considering green card sponsorship), this moment calls for extra caution. Make sure your immigration record is clean, your job duties match the petition, and that you retain copies of all I-129 forms, LCA approvals, and paystubs.

Looking Ahead

Pennsylvania employers and foreign professionals alike should view the current climate not as a reason to panic — but as a wake-up call. The H-1B visa remains a valid and powerful tool for lawful employment in the U.S., but the days of casual or uninformed filing are gone.

At Lehigh Valley Immigration Law, we’ve seen an uptick in clients facing complex RFEs, site visits, and compliance reviews. We help employers navigate these challenges and ensure their filings stand up to scrutiny. For workers, we offer guidance on status maintenance, portability, and adjustment of status pathways.

As enforcement rises, compliance and clarity are your best defense.