US H-1B Visa Fraud Probe Targets Indian Workers And IT Firms

The Trump administration has launched a major federal investigation into H-1B visa fraud, focusing on Indian workers and IT firms. The probe targets Cognizant Technology Solutions and the practice of keeping visa holders on the bench, according to officials.

The investigation threatens the legal status of an estimated 300,000 Indian nationals working in the United States under H-1B visas. Authorities are examining whether companies misused the visa program by filing applications for workers who were not assigned to specific projects.

Cognizant, one of the largest users of H-1B visas, is under scrutiny for its bench staffing model, where employees are kept on payroll without active assignments. The company has said it complies with all visa regulations and is cooperating with the inquiry.

The probe signals a broader crackdown on H-1B visa practices, which critics argue displace American workers. Indian IT firms have been major beneficiaries of the program, and the investigation could lead to significant changes in how visas are allocated and monitored.