Outrage Erupts Over US Senator's 'Visa Temple' Comments on Hyderabad
US Senator sparks outrage after linking Hyderabad’s famous ‘Visa Temple’ to ‘cartel’
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
Missouri Republican Senator Eric Schmitt faced backlash after linking India's Chilkur Balaji Temple, known as the 'Visa Temple,' to a supposed 'Visa Cartel' that he claims undermines American workers. His comments, made on social media, have sparked controversy over the H-1B visa program and its impact on the US job market.
- 01Senator Eric Schmitt labeled the H-1B visa program as part of a 'Visa Cartel' that harms American workers.
- 02The Chilkur Balaji Temple in Hyderabad is frequented by visa applicants seeking blessings for their US visa applications.
- 03Schmitt claimed that foreign students, particularly from India, benefit from taxpayer-subsidized work permits.
- 04He alleged that Indian visa holders share confidential interview questions among applicants, although he provided no evidence.
- 05India accounts for 70-80% of all H-1B visa approvals, significantly more than China at 12%.
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Missouri Republican Senator Eric Schmitt ignited controversy with his recent comments linking India's Chilkur Balaji Temple, known as the 'Visa Temple,' to a so-called 'Visa Cartel' that he argues displaces American workers and depresses wages. In a series of posts on social media platform X, Schmitt claimed that US visa programs, including H-1B, L-1, and F-1, contribute to this cartel, which he believes undermines the American middle class. He specifically criticized the practice of visa aspirants visiting the temple to seek blessings for their applications, suggesting that it exemplifies a system that favors foreign applicants over American graduates. Schmitt's statements also included allegations that foreign students, particularly Indian nationals, receive taxpayer-subsidized work permits while American graduates struggle with student debt. He further asserted that Indian visa holders share interview questions among themselves, a claim he did not substantiate. These remarks come as India continues to dominate H-1B visa approvals, accounting for approximately 70-80% of the total, a point that underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the program's impact on the US labor market.
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Schmitt's comments could influence public perception and policy discussions regarding visa programs, potentially affecting the job market for American workers.
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