In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through immigration circles, former US Congressman and economist Dr Dave Brat has trained his guns at India's H-1B visa program, exposing massive irregularities in visa distribution patterns. The controversy deepens with explosive claims from a US diplomat about systematic fraud operations.
The Shocking Numbers Behind H-1B Visa Distribution
Dr Dave Brat made his startling revelations during an appearance on Steve Bannon's podcast, where he highlighted the disproportionate distribution of H-1B visas. While the national cap for H-1B visas stands at 85,000, Brat claimed that a single Indian district alone received approximately 220,000 H-1B visas - which is 2.5 times the official limit.
The former Congressman didn't mince words when he stated, "When you hear H-1B, think of your family, because these fraudulent visas just stole their future." He further contrasted India's dominance in the program with China's relatively modest contribution of just 12% to the total H-1B program.
Recent reports indicate that in 2024, India's Chennai consulate processed roughly 220,000 H-1B visas along with an additional 140,000 H-4 dependent visas, putting the consulate under intense scrutiny.
Diplomat's Firsthand Account of Industrialized Fraud
Adding credibility to these claims, US diplomat Mahvash Siddiqui, an Indian-origin US Foreign Service Officer, came forward with her shocking experiences from two decades ago. Siddiqui served at the Chennai consulate from 2005 to 2007, where she personally adjudicated at least 51,000 H-1B visas.
In a major expose, Siddiqui revealed that 80-90% of H-1B visas from India are fraudulent. The fraud manifests in multiple ways - applicants presenting fake educational degrees, forged documents, or simply not possessing the high-level skills required to qualify for the H-1B visa category.
The Chennai consulate during her tenure processed applications from four key regions: Hyderabad, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Siddiqui identified Hyderabad as particularly problematic, specifically mentioning Ameerpet area where shops openly offered not just visa consultation but complete document forgery services.
"Hyderabad's Ameerpet had shops not only consulting candidates on visa but providing them with forged documents - be it an educational certificate or a marriage certificate," Siddiqui recounted.
Political Pressure and the 'Rogue Operation'
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of Siddiqui's testimony involves the political interference she and her team encountered when they attempted to combat the fraud. After identifying clear patterns of systematic fraud, the team flagged their concerns to the administration, only to face significant political pressure.
Shockingly, their anti-fraud initiative was labeled a 'rogue operation' by higher authorities. Siddiqui claimed that numerous politicians were involved in running the fraudulent visa operation and exerted substantial pressure to halt the investigation.
The combination of Brat's statistical analysis and Siddiqui's firsthand account paints a disturbing picture of a system where fraud became industrialized, with political protection ensuring its continuation despite clear evidence of wrongdoing.
These revelations come at a time when the H-1B visa program faces increasing scrutiny in the United States, with calls for comprehensive reform growing louder among lawmakers and immigration experts alike.
