Chennai Processed 220,000 H-1B Visas: US Economist Alleges Massive Fraud in India’s Cap

Washington / Chennai:
A new political storm has erupted around the H-1B visa programme after former US Representative and economist Dr. Dave Brat alleged that the system has been overtaken by “industrial-scale fraud”—claiming that the Chennai consular district alone processed 220,000 H-1B visas, far exceeding the annual 85,000 statutory cap.

Speaking on Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast, Brat said the numbers pointed to “something serious going on,” insisting that the programme was being misused at a scale that “defied Congressional intent.”

“Seventy-one per cent of H-1Bs come from India and only 12 per cent from China. There’s a cap of 85,000, yet one Indian district got 220,000. That’s the scam,” he claimed, framing the issue as a threat to American workers.

Brat’s remarks come at a time when H-1B visas are once again under political scrutiny, even as several US industries continue to report shortages of specialised talent.

Chennai Consulate Among World’s Busiest H-1B Processors

According to recent reports, the US Consulate in Chennai processed around 220,000 H-1B visas and an additional 140,000 H-4 dependent visas in 2024.
The consulate covers Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana, all major hubs for India's tech industry—explaining its unusually high volume of employment-based visa applications.

However, experts note that high processing numbers do not indicate violations of the federal cap, since US consulates only issue visas after USCIS has already approved petitions within the quota.

Former Diplomat Claims Visa Fraud Was ‘Industrialised’

Brat’s allegations have revived earlier claims by Mahvash Siddiqui, an Indian-origin US Foreign Service Officer who worked at the Chennai consulate nearly two decades ago.
Siddiqui said she witnessed rampant fraud between 2005 and 2007, stating that many applicants presented fake degrees, forged employment letters, and fabricated qualifications.

“Eighty to ninety per cent of the H-1B visas from India were fake,” she claimed in an interview, describing Hyderabad’s Ameerpet area as a hub for counterfeit certificates and visa-coaching shops.

She alleged that attempts by consular officers to crack down on fraud met with “significant political pressure” and were labelled internally as a “rogue operation.”

Siddiqui also claimed that proxy applicants, bribery in parts of the hiring chain, and avoidance of interviews were among the issues she encountered.

Visa Programme Caught in Political Crossfire

The H-1B visa, critical to the American tech sector, brought in roughly 70 per cent Indian workers in 2024 as companies sought specialised talent.
However, MAGA-aligned politicians have increasingly targeted H-1B and F-1 visas, arguing they disadvantage American workers.

In a recent Fox News interview, former US President Donald Trump signalled that despite criticisms, his administration is open to continuing the programme, saying the US must attract global talent to remain competitive.

A Debate That Is Far From Over

While allegations of fraud have surfaced periodically over the years, supporters argue that the H-1B programme remains essential for the US economy, especially in sectors facing skill shortages.
The latest claims from Brat and Siddiqui have reignited the debate, but immigration experts caution that sweeping allegations must be weighed against the structured, multi-stage US visa approval process.

As political pressure mounts ahead of policy revisions, the future of the H-1B system remains a critical—and contested—issue in the evolving US-India talent landscape.