A U.S. diplomat claims that the H1B visa system is being manipulated by Indians to send unqualified candidates to the United States. The diplomat identifies Hyderabad as a major hub for these activities, where significant money, influence, and nepotism are allegedly used to secure H1B visa approvals.
Mahvash Siddiqui, an Indian-American diplomat, highlights systematic issues leading to fraud in the H1B visa program. Siddiqui, who worked as a consular officer at the Chennai consulate from 2005 to 2007, dealt with many applicants who were approved despite being ineligible. The Chennai office is one of the largest H1B visa-processing centers globally, serving applicants from Hyderabad, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
She claims that 80-90% of visas issued to Indians, mostly H1B visas, are fraudulent. These are allegedly based on fake degrees, forged documents, or unqualified applicants. Ameerpet in Hyderabad is reportedly a key area for fraudulent documents used in H1B visa applications.
Siddiqui, speaking personally and not as a diplomat, states that fraud and bribery are normalized in India. She notes instances where candidates avoided job interviews if the interviewer was American, using proxy candidates instead. Indian managers allegedly offered jobs to Indians in exchange for money.
She claims that officials at the Chennai consulate raised concerns about these practices, but the U.S. administration ignored them due to political pressure. Siddiqui mentions a dissent cable was sent to the Secretary of State detailing the fraud, but their efforts were dismissed as a “rogue operation.”
The H1B visa program is crucial for bringing skilled professionals to the U.S., with India being a major beneficiary. Indian IT companies and global tech firms use this route to hire professionals. However, due to the Trump administration’s protectionist measures, Indian IT firms have reduced their reliance on the H1B program. Meanwhile, American tech giants continue to use it extensively. Recently, a $100,000 entry fee was imposed on new H1B applications, making it harder for employers to utilize this path.
