The United States relies on foreign labor in critical industries like technology, healthcare, and defense, but inadequate vetting of non-citizen workers poses significant national security risks. From espionage to cybersecurity breaches, gaps in visa and green card programs expose vulnerabilities that threaten American interests.
The U.S. Foreign Labor Levy, part of our “foreign labor as an industry” framework, addresses these risks by taxing corporate use of non-citizen labor, incentivizing the hiring of American citizen workers, and funding enhanced vetting. (Note: “American citizen workers” refers to U.S. citizens, excluding non-citizen residents or visa holders.)
Security Risks of Foreign Labor
- Espionage & Terrorism: Foreign workers in sensitive roles may be coerced into espionage or cyber threats. In 2020, a Chinese national on an H-1B visa was convicted of stealing trade secrets from a U.S. tech firm, exposing vetting gaps.
- Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities: Non-citizen workers with access to critical data could leak sensitive information, endangering infrastructure like power grids or financial systems.
- Labor Exploitation: Weak oversight enables trafficking and exploitation, creating security loopholes.
Visa and Green Card Security Gaps
- H-1B & L-1 Visas: These programs bring skilled workers but lack rigorous security vetting, risking espionage in tech and defense.
- F-1 OPT/CPT: Foreign students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) face minimal monitoring, displacing American citizen graduates and potentially filling sensitive roles.
- Employment-Based Green Cards: Permanent residents (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3) may bypass citizenship requirements for defense or intelligence roles, raising foreign influence concerns.
The U.S. Foreign Labor Levy: A Solution
The U.S. Foreign Labor Levy taxes non-citizen labor (15-40% for H-1B/L-1 visas, 20-50% payroll, Years 1-3, as detailed in the Act), reducing reliance on foreign workers and funding security measures:
- Corporate Accountability: Companies must prioritize American citizen workers and conduct enhanced background checks for non-citizen hires, verified by DOL audits. Public disclosure of H-1B hiring practices ensures transparency.
- National Security: Fewer foreign workers in critical roles lower espionage and cyber risks. Interagency vetting by DOL, DHS, USCIS, DOJ, DoD, and DOGE, with DOGE overseeing H-1B compliance, strengthens safeguards.
- Revenue Use: Funds vetting programs, training for American citizen workers, and entitlements like Social Security.
- Mitigation: Exemptions for critical roles with strict vetting balance industry needs and security.
Conclusion: Prioritizing Security and Citizens
The U.S. Foreign Labor Levy bridges security gaps by aligning corporate hiring with national interests. By taxing non-citizen labor, we incentivize hiring American citizen workers, strengthen vetting, and protect critical industries.