US Economist Claims Chennai Got 220,000 H-1B Visas, Sparks Big Fraud Row

America’s H-1B visa programme is once again under scrutiny after a well-known economist alleged massive irregularities in the way visas were issued in India. The controversy began when economist and former US Representative Dave Brat claimed that the Chennai district alone received 220,000 H-1B visas—far more than the annual national cap allowed by US law.

Brat made these statements during a podcast, where he argued that the H-1B system had been overtaken by what he called “industrial-scale fraud.” According to him, the annual limit set by the US Congress is only 85,000 visas. However, he alleged that the number issued through Chennai was almost 2.5 times that cap, raising serious questions about how the programme is being managed.

He pointed out that India accounts for an overwhelming majority of approved H-1B visas—about 71 percent—while China, which is the second-highest recipient, receives only around 12 percent. Brat suggested that this uneven distribution indicated deeper issues, hinting that the system was being misused at the cost of American workers. He tied the issue to anti-immigration arguments, claiming that many visa holders were not as highly skilled as stated in their applications.

The controversy deepened further after an Indian-origin former diplomat shared similar concerns. Mahvash Siddiqui, who previously worked at the US Consulate in Chennai, claimed that in 2024 alone, officials processed 220,000 H-1B visas and 140,000 H-4 visas for dependents. She alleged that a large portion of these applications from India were fraudulent and often involved fake employer letters, forged educational certificates, and applicants who were coached to clear interviews.

Siddiqui also said that certain areas in Hyderabad had become known for training applicants to bypass checks, including creating fake documents to present themselves as skilled professionals.

The Chennai consulate is one of the busiest H-1B processing centres in the world. It handles visa applications from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, and Karnataka—four major states with large numbers of IT and tech professionals seeking opportunities in the United States.

Brat’s claims have now ignited a sharp debate in both countries. Supporters argue that the allegations highlight long-standing problems in the visa system, while critics say the numbers have been misunderstood and misrepresented. As discussions continue, many experts believe the issue may influence future immigration policies and create additional checks in the H-1B process.

The US government has not yet issued an official response to the claims, but immigration analysts expect the matter to gain traction in the coming months as scrutiny of work visas intensifies.