The U.S. Department of Labor has updated its H-1B debarment list, naming GowraTech, Renotek Group, Seeloz, and Sherwood Academy as "willful violators," effective July 1. All four are barred from filing new H-1B petitions through 2027 or 2028, depending on the case.
View the full list of DOL "H-1B Willful Violator List of Employers."
Why it matters: A "willful violator" designation is more serious than a standard compliance finding. It applies when DOL or DOJ finds an employer knowingly violated H-1B rules or misrepresented facts on a Labor Condition Application, covering worker displacement, recruitment, and equal treatment at third-party work sites. Beyond debarment, it can bring penalties, up to five years of extra compliance obligations, and random DOL audits.
The bigger picture: This action follows a larger enforcement push tied to DOL Inspector General's intensified investigation into alleged fraud and human trafficking in the H-1B and PERM programs.
What's next: This is just the latest example in a larger enforcement trend the Association has flagged. Expect continued, likely growing, agency action over the next two years.
Our advice: Now is a good time for members to revisit LCA documentation, wage compliance, and recruitment records now to stay audit ready.
