Computech Inc., a computer staffing firm in Southfield, MI, has agreed to pay $2,250,000 in back wages to 232 computer professionals and a $400,000 fine to settle immigration law violations, according to a news release from the US Department of Labor.

An investigation by the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division found that Computech brought non-immigrant H-1B workers into the U.S., but failed to pay them the minimum required wage rates in the areas where they were employed.  The investigation also disclosed the Computech frequently “benched” the workers without compensation contrary to the rules of the H-1B program.

A press release from Computech states that the Department of Labor investigated Computech five years ago and only decided to issue a determination on the matter this year.  It states that Computech and the Department have reached a settlement in which Compuech admits no wrongdoing and voluntarily agrees not to sponsor H-1B workers for a period of 18 months.  It also points out that the settlement relates to employment of workers between five and seven years ago, and not to Computech’s current employment practices.  The Department has not raised any issues regarding the company’s compliance since August 2000.