USCIS Confirms Sharp Increase in the Number of H-1B Registrations

This year, USCIS saw a dramatic increase in the number of registrations submitted compared to last year.  The number of H-1B registrations has been on an upward trend as the below chart shows:

The even sharper spike in registrations for beneficiaries with multiple eligible registrations has raised serious concerns that some companies are gaining an unfair advantage by working together to submit multiple registrations on behalf of the same beneficiary. USCIS stresses that it is committed to preventing abuse of the registration process and reminded the public that at the time each registration is submitted, each prospective petitioner is required to sign an attestation, under penalty of perjury, that the registration(s) “reflect a legitimate job offer” and “the registrant, or the organization on whose behalf the registration(s) is being submitted, has not worked with, or agreed to work with, another registrant, petitioner, agent, or other individual or entity to submit a registration to unfairly increase chances of selection for the beneficiary or beneficiaries in this submission.”

USCIS additionally warns that it will refer entities that submitted a false attestation to appropriate federal law enforcement agencies for investigation and further action, as appropriate. Based on evidence from the FY 2023 and FY 2024 H-1B cap seasons, USCIS has already undertaken extensive fraud investigations, denied and revoked petitions accordingly, and is in the process of initiating law enforcement referrals for criminal prosecution.