Indians used H-1B as loophole, gave 'rishwat' to enter US: Indian-origin diplomat

An Indian-origin American diplomat has alleged that H-1B visas were "the perfect loophole" for Indians aged 20-45 to enter the US with "fraudulent or inflated credentials". Urging the need to halt the programme, Mahvash Siddiqui said, "A pervasive 'halo effect' favoured Indian applicants, compounded by bribery ("rishwat") and cultural normalisation of fraud." She served as a visa officer in India.