US Diplomat Demands Halt to H-1B Visa Program Over Fraud

A senior U.S. diplomat has called for an immediate halt to new H-1B visa issuances. Mahvash Siddiqui, a former consular officer in Chennai, says the program is riddled with systemic fraud. Her allegations point to a vast industry of fake documents and bribery. She argues this fraud displaces qualified American tech workers.

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Mahvash Siddiqui served as a visa officer at the U.S. Consulate in Chennai. She recently published a detailed report with the Center for Immigration Studies. Her account is based on firsthand adjudication experience.

Siddiqui labels Chennai the global capital of H-1B visa fraud. She describes a well-organized scam network. Fake degrees and forged bank statements are easily purchased.

She says these documents come from areas like Hyderabad’s Ameerpet district. The goal is to secure U.S. work visas for unqualified candidates. Siddiqui states corrupt officials in both India and America enable the fraud.

According to her report, many applicants fail basic skills tests. They claim computer science degrees but cannot write simple code. Fake job offer letters are also commonplace.

The volume is staggering. Siddiqui notes Chennai processed about 100,000 H-1Bs annually in the mid-2000s. Today, demand exceeds 400,000 applications each year from that post alone.

Impact on American Workers and Systemic Abuse

Siddiqui’s report highlights severe consequences for U.S. professionals. She says qualified American STEM graduates are being sidelined. Some are even forced to train their foreign replacements.

The situation fosters what she calls an “honor among thieves” environment. Indian managers in the U.S. allegedly create insular hiring networks. These networks exclude American applicants and protect unqualified hires.

Whistleblowing is discouraged within these circles. Siddiqui claims a cultural normalization of fraud, known as “rishwat” or bribery, sustains the system. A “halo effect” also unfairly favors Indian applicants during visa interviews.

The original intent of the H-1B program has been distorted, she argues. It was designed to bring in specialized global talent for temporary work. Instead, it has become a primary immigration pathway for one country, often based on fraudulent claims.

Powerful lobbying by tech interests has misled Congress, Siddiqui alleges. The narrative portrays American workers as lacking necessary skills. Her evidence contradicts that portrayal directly.

Proposed Reforms to Curb Visa Fraud

Siddiqui does not just identify problems. She proposes a series of concrete reforms. A full audit of the program is her first and most urgent recommendation.

New H-1B issuances should be paused until that audit is complete. Vetting must be enhanced to verify every degree, skill, and past job. Site inspections of U.S. employers should be expanded dramatically.

She calls for prioritizing U.S. STEM graduates in hiring. Nepotistic chain-hiring practices must be prohibited. Stronger penalties for fraud are also necessary to create a real deterrent.

Recent federal prosecutions show the problem is real. Authorities have uncovered major fraud rings. Siddiqui believes stricter enforcement is the only solution.

The call to suspend the H-1B visa program underscores deep systemic issues. Siddiqui’s firsthand account adds significant weight to ongoing debates about immigration and workforce policy. The future of skilled worker visas may hinge on addressing this alleged fraud.