An Indian-origin US diplomat has dropped a bombshell revelation about widespread fraud in the H-1B visa program, claiming that an astonishing 80-90% of applications from India contain forged documents or misrepresent qualifications.
The Shocking Fraud Revelation
Mahvash Siddiqui, a seasoned US Foreign Service Officer, recently appeared on a podcast where she shared her eye-opening experience while serving at the Chennai consulate between 2005 and 2007. Speaking in her personal capacity rather than as an official diplomat, Siddiqui dismantled the popular narrative that America suffers from a shortage of STEM talent that must be filled by workers from India.
The diplomat revealed that during her tenure in Chennai, she personally adjudicated at least 51,000 H-1B visas. What she discovered was a systematic pattern of fraud that affected the overwhelming majority of applications from certain regions.
Rogue Operation Against Industrialized Fraud
Siddiqui described how she and her team quickly identified consistent fraud patterns and attempted to address them, only to face significant political pushback. Their anti-fraud initiative was labeled a 'rogue operation' by higher authorities, despite clear evidence of widespread document forgery.
The Chennai consulate processed applications from four key regions: Hyderabad, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. According to Siddiqui, Hyderabad emerged as the most concerning area, particularly the Ameerpet neighborhood where shops openly offered not just visa consultation services but also provided forged educational certificates and even marriage documents.
Systemic Abuse and Normalized Corruption
The diplomat detailed several alarming practices that had become normalized within the system. Proxy candidates frequently attended job interviews when the interviewer was American, while some Indian managers allegedly provided jobs to fellow Indians in exchange for a monthly cut from their salaries.
"As an Indian-American, I hate to say this but fraud and bribery are normalized in India," Siddiqui stated, while clarifying that she didn't want to generalize the entire country. Her comments highlight the challenges facing the H-1B program, which allows US companies to hire skilled foreign workers.
Political Pressure and Current Administration Stance
The Trump administration has faced criticism for its inconsistent approach to the H-1B program. While the visa now carries a substantial $100,000 fee designed to ensure only absolutely necessary and highly skilled candidates are hired, the administration has stopped short of taking a strong stand against the program itself.
In a recent interview, President Trump acknowledged that America needs the H-1B program to access certain talents unavailable domestically. This conflicting stance reflects the complex balancing act between preventing fraud and meeting genuine workforce needs.
The revelations from Siddiqui's experience two decades ago continue to resonate today, raising important questions about visa program integrity and the ongoing challenge of balancing economic needs with immigration controls.
