A recent podcast by former U.S. consular officer Mahvash Siddiqui has stirred controversy with claims that 80–90% of H-1B visas issued in India between 2005 and 2007 were obtained fraudulently. Siddiqui, who served at the U.S. Consulate in Chennai during that period, alleged that a large number of applications involved fake degrees, forged documents, or unqualified candidates. She also stated that despite detecting the fraud as consular officers, political pressure prevented them from acting effectively.
Renowned Chennai-based immigration attorney Gnanamookan Senthurjothi responded, clarifying that significant reforms over the past two decades have addressed these issues. He noted that the Hyderabad consulate was established to tackle fraud, especially from regions like Hyderabad and Punjab, where fake job offers and fabricated credentials were common.
Senthurjothi emphasized that heightened scrutiny, improved vetting, and close coordination with local authorities led to arrests, lifetime bans, and criminal cases against fraudulent agents and applicants. He cited data from Nasscom showing that H-1B visa fraud rates have now dropped to below 1%.
He also warned against reigniting old controversies for sensationalism, especially when today’s system has seen significant improvements. “Unless there’s new evidence, these claims don’t reflect the current state of H-1B processing,” he concluded, urging applicants to prioritize transparency, compliance, and authentic documentation.
