H-1B Visa Fraud Exposed: Officer Calls for System Overhaul Amid Fake Credentials Scandal

A former U.S. visa officer has exposed widespread exploitation of the H-1B visa system. The officer alleges that fraud has become industrialized, displacing qualified American workers. These claims come from detailed testimony by a diplomat with over two decades of experience.

The issue centers on a surge in applications using fraudulent documents. According to a report by the Centre for Immigration Studies, the system is now inundated with fake degrees and forged employment letters.

Systemic Flaws and Industrialized Fraud

The officer, Mahvash Siddiqui, served at the U.S. Consulate in Chennai. She stated that H-1B visas are uniquely problematic because they arrive pre-approved by the Department of Homeland Security. This makes denials exceptionally rare, at around two percent.

Her experience shows demand has skyrocketed. From processing about 100,000 H-1Bs annually two decades ago, demand now exceeds 400,000 each year. This volume has allowed systemic weaknesses to be exploited.

She described entire markets in India dedicated to fraud. In places like Hyderabad’s Ameerpet, applicants can purchase fake degrees, counterfeit bank statements, and forged certificates. Corrupt HR officials in both India and the U.S. are alleged to facilitate this by producing fake employment letters.

Impact on American Workers and Policy Recommendations

The consequence is direct displacement, according to the testimony. Qualified American IT and STEM graduates find themselves unemployed. Worse, they are sometimes forced to train their own lower-paid H-1B replacements.

The problem may extend beyond technology. The officer also raised concerns about Indian medical graduates entering on J-1 visas. She suggested their skills may not match those of American-trained doctors.

To address this, the officer proposed six major policy changes. Key recommendations include pausing new H-1B issuances for a full audit. She also called for much stronger vetting of degrees and skills.

Another critical recommendation is to ban nepotistic hiring networks. These networks allegedly exclude American applicants entirely. Expanding site inspections and enforcing strict penalties for fraud were also highlighted.

The testimony paints a picture of a system in urgent need of repair. Tackling H-1B visa fraud is now framed as essential for protecting both American workforce integrity and national economic security.

Thought you’d like to know

What is the main allegation against the H-1B visa system?

A veteran visa officer alleges the system is rife with industrialized fraud. This includes the widespread use of fake degrees and forged employment documents. The fraud is said to displace qualified American workers in tech fields.

How many H-1B applications are filed now?

Annual demand has surged dramatically. It now exceeds 400,000 applications per year. Two decades ago, a single consulate processed roughly 100,000 annually.

Why are H-1B visas so rarely denied?

They come pre-approved by the Department of Homeland Security. This creates a high bureaucratic barrier for officers to deny them. The reported denial rate is only about two percent.

What are the recommended policy fixes?

Key recommendations include pausing new issuances for an audit. Others are stricter degree verification and banning chain-hiring practices that exclude Americans. Enforcing stronger fraud penalties is also advised.

Does this fraud affect fields beyond IT?

The officer suggested the problem is broader. Concerns were specifically raised about medical professionals entering on J-1 visas. The implication is that credential verification may be lacking across sectors.

What was the officer’s role?

Mahvash Siddiqui is a U.S. Foreign Service Officer with 21 years of experience. She served as a visa officer in Chennai and has extensive adjudication experience. Her testimony was published by the Centre for Immigration Studies.