I need somebody to confirm the specific type of visa we are using to bring people over from KLTC and BTC. After the recent layoff announcements I think it’s high time for employees to go on defense. Based on my own research I think there is a credible case to be made the company is violating the intent of the visas being granted. If so, it’s time for employees to start leaving anonymous tips to several government offices who could investigate (USCIS, Homeland Security Investigations, Dept of Labor inspector general). More on that later. I need somebody with SPECIFIC knowledge of how we are bringing people over to comment.
Here’s the situation I have observed for years now: employees from our overseas technical centers come to U.S. manufacturing sites for 1–2-year assignments. They’ve typically worked for the company abroad for a couple of years in process or technical support roles, then rotate into our entry-level plant engineer jobs here.
The company says this is part of a rotation program to build knowledge, but these engineers seem to be doing the same daily production-support work as U.S. college-hire engineers — not managing people or bringing unique proprietary technology. Many of these sites now have at least one rotational engineer on staff at any given time, which could give the impression this is not about training, but instead a cost reduction program. Paired with decreasing headcount at the same sites, it might give the impression these visas are being used to promote offshoring.
Does that kind of role meet the L-1A or L-1B definition? From what I’ve read, L-1A is for managers/executives and L-1B for specialized knowledge. What type of visa are these ex pats?
Would this typically be considered valid use of the L-1 category?