Overview

• The US State Department has imposed visa restrictions on owners and executives of Indian travel agencies accused of facilitating illegal immigration.
• The US Embassy in India recently canceled 2,000 visa appointments, citing fraud investigations linked to illegal migration schemes.
• For fiscal year 2026, USCIS selected 120,141 H-1B visa applications, the lowest number since 2021, reflecting tightened integrity measures.
• Right-wing activists, including Laura Loomer, are pressuring the US government to restrict or abolish the H-1B visa program, which predominantly benefits Indian professionals.
• Indian nationals account for over 70% of H-1B visas issued annually, with US employers warning that reductions could harm competitiveness in key sectors like technology.