Kamal Ghorui
Senator Eric Schmitt who is a staunch critic of the H-1B visa and the OPT (Optional Practical Training) targeted India’s Chilkoor Balaji temple in his latest tirade against visa fraud and said American workers should not have to compete against a system this gamed that has a cartel and a temple. Indians pushed back on the hate and condemned Senator Schmitt for calling a temple a part of a game while devotees just pray for their US visa at the famed temple near Hyderabad.Schmitt’s latest jibe drew on several resources: GB News’ documentary on H-1B, a Chinese-American professor’s lawsuit against Texas’ Southern Methodist University alleging that the Indian-origin head of department only favors Indians for tenure etc.“Big tech companies have laid off thousands of US workers while filling thousands of H-1B requests for identical roles. 82% of those foreign hires came in below median wages. BILLIONS now flow to India for AI training instead, subsidized by Americans,” Schmitt wrote.“This is part of a global ‘visa cartel’. Networks recruit overseas, lie on resumes, file petitions, and treat workers like cattle. Shell companies and kickback schemes funnel cheap, visa-dependent labor into US jobs while Americans get passed over,” he said citing reports. Schmitt said how little-known L-1 visas have become a big business for the ‘visa cartel’ and applications are growing.“F-1 visas are a silent job killer too. Foreign students (India accounted for almost half) get taxpayer-subsidized work permits, corporations get no payroll taxes or wage rules. They flow into H-1B, then green cards, while U.S. grads with debt compete against cheaper labor,” the rant went on. “The ‘Visa Cartel’ has its own “Visa Temple” in Hyderabad, which sees thousands of Indians circling altars and getting passports blessed for US work visas. American workers shouldn’t have to compete against a system this gamed,” he wrote.“Enough. We must end the fraud, shutdown these networks, close the loopholes, and ensure we serve American workers,” Schmitt concluded.
What is ‘visa temple’?
Chilkur Balaji temple in Telangana, near Hyderabad, is known as visa temple as many devotees come to the temple with their visa wishes. Chilkur Balaji is also called the ‘visa god’ because of this practice. But Eric Schmitt calling a Hindu temple a part of a cartel did not go down well with the Indians. They questioned how it is different than Christians praying for something in the church.
- “I can’t believe a sitting US senator is so racist and bigot to instigate hate against a community, Hindus & Indians. What a low
@SenEricSchmitt. Shame on you ! reflect on yourself idiot ! Don’t ponder to racists on X. they are fake, real voters do not forgive you,” one wrote. - “Is this any different from Christians praying for their dear wishes? …When US visa has 100 yr wait while H1B folks are slogging away to make America great, the simplest action is to pray!” another reacted.
- “If someone goes and prays in a temple that causes the visa officer to stamp the visa? Is there a direct connection from the temple to the US consulate? What nonsense are you posting,” a third user wrote indignantly.
