As part of ongoing investigation of potential fraud in the H-1B program, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducts unannounced visits to employers. This usually starts with a DHS officer attempting to visit and interview the H-1B employee at their work location, followed by the officer contacting ISSS, and sometimes contacting/visiting the employing department indicated on the petition filed by the University of Minnesota. These visits should not be a cause for alarm as they are, generally, routine and selected at random.
Here are some guidelines if you are contacted by a DHS officer:
- As with any government officer or government contractor, ask to see their badge and/or identification. Please take note of their name and ID number, if applicable.
- Contact an H-1B Advisor or ISSS Director if you receive a visit.
- If you are unable to immediately answer any particular question, explain to the officer that additional time is needed to consult with ISSS. Please also feel free to refer the officer to ISSS at any time.
- The officer will confirm employee identity and details about your employment listed within the I-129 petition: title, salary, duties, degree requirements, and location.
- The officer may also take pictures of the workspace, worksite, lab, office or classroom.
Reminder: When the University of Minnesota submits an H-1B petition to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, we are attesting to specific statements about the position, title, salary, hours, duties, degree requirements, and location. If any of these aspects of the H-1B employee's work changes, the University may need to file a new petition before the changes are instituted. For this reason, H-1B employees and their departments must notify ISSS in advance about any changes in employment or employment termination.
