Information Technology Firm Pays $1 Million to Settle Allegations of Visa Fraud

DALLAS—Sistemas Globales S.A., an Argentine information technology and consulting firm, has agreed to a civil settlement of allegations that it and its corporate affiliates, including U.S. affiliate Globant LLC (collectively “Globant”), violated the False Claims Act and the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act, announced U.S. Attorney John R. Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

The settlement relates to Globant’s use of B-1 visas for certain of its foreign national employees. Foreign nationals admitted to the United States on a B-1 visa are permitted to engage in certain short-term business activities like negotiating contracts, consulting with business associates, or attending conventions or conferences. However, a B-1 visa is not proper for foreign nationals who are seeking to perform skilled or unskilled labor in the United States. Companies wishing to employ foreign nationals in the United States must seek proper work visas for their employees, at a higher cost and with additional requirements to protect U.S. workers.

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