Understanding the H1-B Visa Lottery Scandal

If you’re serious about pursuing an H-1B visa, you should consider working alongside an experienced immigration lawyer in Palm Beach County. Unfortunately, many people are trying to scam the system in many ways – and you could become an unwitting victim. Instead of trusting these scam artists, think about consulting with a legal professional who can help you legally and efficiently navigate the immigration process.

What Is the H1-B Visa? 

The H-1B visa is for people who want to pursue “specialty occupations” in the United States. These are generally people who hold bachelor’s degrees or higher in certain target areas. Interestingly, the Department of Labor also notes that the H-1B visa also applies to “fashion models of distinguished merit and ability.”

Most people who pursue H-1B visas come from countries like India and China. These people also tend to specialize in many of the same areas, including finance, engineering, and technology. Those with STEM degrees tend to receive favorable treatment.

What Is the H-1B Lottery? 

The United States government is only authorized to issue a certain number of H1-B visas each year. As a result, an “H1-B lottery” is held each year to ensure fairness. Although those with higher degrees receive preferential treatment, most are placed in a “general pool.” Some of these people are selected at random, and they may move forward with their visa application process.

Who Scammed the H-1B Lottery?

 According to a recent report by Bloomberg, some are scamming the H-1B visa lottery by using a strategy known as “multiple registrations.” Essentially, this involves submitting numerous applications under different company names – effectively giving applicants numerous entries. Under a fair system, each applicant would only receive one entry.

One Indian company is accused of submitting more than 3,000 entries for just 288 people. This effectively ensured that their applicants would always “win” the lottery. According to Bloomberg, these companies prey on the applicants, demanding up to 30% of their income in exchange for tipping the scales in their favor.

This lottery scam completely defeats the purpose of the underlying system. This process is supposed to be random, and everyone is supposed to have an equal chance. Fortunately, you can give yourself a legal advantage by working alongside an immigration lawyer. You do not need to cheat to obtain a work visa in the United States – and you may have more options than you realize. Speak with an experienced attorney for more information on potential strategies.

Find an Experienced Immigration Lawyer in Palm Beach County 

If you’ve been searching for an experienced immigration lawyer in Palm Beach County, look no further than The Devore Law Group. We have helped numerous defendants navigate the immigration system with ease – including those who are pursuing H1-B visas. Book your consultation today to learn more about your options.

Sources: 

business-standard.com/india-news/meet-kandi-srinivasa-reddy-congress-leader-in-us-h-1b-visa-lottery-rigging-124080200642_1.html

business-standard.com/world-news/h-1b-visa-scam-explained-how-a-congress-leader-played-the-us-visa-lottery-124080200594_1.html

dol.gov/agencies/whd/immigration/h1b