US diplomat of Indian origin flagged visa abuse concerns two decades ago

Mahvash Siddiqui, a senior US diplomat of Indian origin, has disclosed that she alerted senior management to visa abuse patterns two decades ago, drawing parallels to irregularities that would later surface at IT services company Cognizant. The diplomat's assertion underscores persistent concerns about visa misuse within the technology services sector, a significant employer of Indian professionals seeking opportunities in the United States.

Siddiqui's revelations suggest that warnings about such practices circulated within US government circles far earlier than recent investigations into Cognizant's hiring and visa practices became public. The timing of her disclosure raises questions about institutional responses to reported violations and oversight gaps in the visa system.

Cognizant, headquartered in New Jersey and known for its heavy reliance on visa workers, has faced scrutiny over allegations involving the B-1 visa category, commonly used for temporary business visitors. The company's practices have drawn attention from US immigration authorities and policymakers concerned about potential abuse of visa programs meant to address legitimate skill shortages.

Siddiqui's account highlights a longstanding tension between technology sector demands for specialized foreign talent and regulatory mechanisms designed to protect the integrity of US visa systems. The case underscores ongoing debates about whether existing oversight mechanisms adequately address systematic violations when flagged by government insiders.