Grassley seeks proof of jobs from H-1B applicants

Grassley said in his letter that the USCIS should be asking, "companies up front for evidence that H-1B visa holders actually have a job awaiting them in the U.S.," and not end up being "benched," or unpaid until work is found.

Grassley is also seeking information on the progress the USCIS has made on a number of other issues addressed in the fraud report, including job duties that differ from those described in the petition and failure to pay prevailing wages.

In response, a USCIS official said Mayorkas has received the letter and will respond for it.

Grassley's letter to tougher steps comes at the same time that some immigration attorneys have complained of stepped up enforcement efforts this year, especially with request for more evidence to support a petition.

Grassley, along with U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill), have introduced legislation that would toughen the rules on H-1B program, and impose a number of restrictions , especially on Indian firms and their ability to use large numbers of visa holders without hiring a proportional number of U.S. workers.