Summary
A former U.S. diplomat, Mahvash Siddiqui, claimed a high level of fraud in H-1B visa applications from India, noting that many applicants used fake documents. The H-1B visa allows U.S. companies to hire skilled foreign workers in specialized fields. President Donald Trump has supported hiring skilled foreign workers to fill gaps in the U.S. workforce.
Key Facts
- Mahvash Siddiqui worked as a consular officer in Chennai, India, from 2005 to 2007.
- She claimed that 80-90% of H-1B visa applications from India involved fraud or unqualified applicants.
- The H-1B visa is a temporary visa for skilled workers in fields like technology, engineering, and medicine.
- There are concerns about the H-1B program displacing American workers.
- Siddiqui described widespread use of fake documents by applicants from certain areas in India.
- Political pressure allegedly made anti-fraud efforts less effective.
- President Trump supports skilled foreign workers to address labor shortages in the U.S.
- A proposed $100,000 fee for H-1B petitions has faced legal challenges.
