H-1B visa fraud allegations spark concerns among Indian professionals in US

Indians in the United States are voicing concern over alleged H-1B visa fraud involving ghost offices, fake credentials, and fraudulent staffing firms. Texas authorities, led by Attorney General Ken Paxton and Governor Greg Abbott, have launched investigations and frozen new petitions.

Hyderabad: A growing number of Indians in the United States are expressing serious concerns over recent allegations of H-1B visa fraud by some scammers, warning that such cases erode trust in the visa programme besides damaging the reputation of genuine Indian professionals.

These concerns come after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recently announced an investigation into the H-1B visa programme abuse by Texas businesses. The investigation followed an immediate freeze on new H-1B visa petitions ordered by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, citing visa programme fraud, ensuring that jobs go to Americans.

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Texas-based journalist Sara Gonzales, who probed the issue, alleged misuse of H-1B visa programme by some businesses, which were set up by people with Telugu origins.

In a recent video, which went viral on social media, Gonzales claimed that when she personally visited an office in Irving, Texas, with 27 H-1B visas, it was found to be more of a residential complex than an office.

The journalist alleged that office addresses mentioned in the visa petition and website were empty, with a part of the building under construction and furniture gathering dust.

Gonzales also claimed that similar discrepancies were found in another office, with 12 H-1B visas, registered in Frisco, Texas, raising concerns about the visa process.

This issue rang alarm bells among Indian professionals working on a legit H-1B visa. According to the NRIs, a few fraudulent consulting and staffing firms have been filing fake job offers, fake payroll and bench arrangements, resulting in problems for genuine H-1B workers.

“This misuse of the visa programme not just breaks the law but also reduces the trust in Indians. While the US government has already been tightening regulations, such issues will further increase scrutiny for everyone besides creating a bad reputation for genuine Indian professionals,” said an Indian on H-1B visa.

In addition to the ghost offices, there are allegations of some Indians obtaining fake credentials, including fake degrees and certifications, for job interviews. There are also allegations of questions being handed over to the candidates before the technical interview. Further, Indians are facing accusations of ethnic nepotism in the company hiring processes.

Not just that, some businesses established by the Indians are facing allegations of hiring only F-1 visa holders (students) for working in the restaurants and paying them in cash. Given these allegations, the local people, particularly in Texas, are up in arms demanding the fraudsters be deported to their country.