Infosys has agreed to pay near to $34m to resolve the ongoing visa-related issues and allegations of abusing immigration processes with the US authorities.
The Indian software firm had been alleged of committing visa scam intentionally and illegally using B-1 visa holders to do skilled labour in a bid to fill positions in the US for employment which would or else necessitate legal H-1B visa holders.
US Attorney Bales said that the US will not tolerate actions that mislead the country and circumvent lawful immigration processes, whether undertaken by a single individual or one of the largest corporations in the world.
"The H-1B and B-1 visa programs are designed and intended to protect the American worker; and we will vigorously enforce the requirements of those programs," Bales said.
As per the settlement, Infosys would pay about $5m to US Homeland Security Investigations, $5m to the State Department and $24m to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas.
Additionally, filings claimed that Infosys also admitted failing to maintain I-9 records for several of its foreign nationals in the US in 2010 and 2011 as per law.
Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent David Marwell said that the settlement against Infosys is the largest immigration fine on record.
"The investigation indicated that Infosys manipulated the visa process and circumvented the requirements, limitations, and governmental oversight of the visa programs.
"The investigation also showed that more than 80 percent of Infosys’s I-9 forms for 2010 and 2011 contained substantive violations.
"Ultimately, these actions by Infosys cost American jobs and simultaneously financially hurt companies that sought to follow the laws of this nation.
"Companies that misuse the visa process can expect to be scrutinised and held accountable."
