Eric Schmitt, the Republican senator from Missouri, sparked controversy with comments about the U.S. employment-based visa system, alleging it suppresses local wages and fuels a global “Visa Cartel” that displaces American workers. In a series of posts on X, Schmitt claimed that programs such as H-1B, L-1, F-1 and Optional Practical Training (OPT) are “hollowing” the American middle class.
Expanding on his criticism, Schmitt referenced a lawsuit involving an American professor and Southern Methodist University (SMU), alleging that the department chair systematically favored Indian candidates for tenure. He further claimed that “Billions now flow to India for AI training instead, subsidised by Americans.”
Schmitt also drew attention to the Chilkur Balaji Temple in Hyderabad, India, describing it as a “Visa Temple” where Indians — or what he called the “Visa Cartel” — pray for successful U.S. visa approvals.
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“The ‘Visa Cartel’ has its own ‘Visa Temple’ in Hyderabad, which sees thousands of Indians circling altars and getting passports blessed for U.S. work visas. American workers shouldn’t have to compete against a system this gamed,” Schmitt wrote in a post on X.
The Chilkur Balaji Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Balaji, located on the banks of Osman Sagar in Hyderabad, Telangana. While it is common for devotees to pray there for visa approvals, Schmitt did not explain how such practices amount to “gaming the system.”
Schmitt also alleged that foreign students, of whom almost “half” are Indians, get taxpayer-subsidized work permits and corporations do not get any payroll taxes or wage rules. “They flow into H-1B, then green cards, while U.S. grads with debt compete against cheaper labour,” he said.
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This comes amid rising scrutiny over H-1B visas as the Trump administration continues to ignite debates over immigration. Conservative commentator Steven Crowder recently sparked an online debate after sharing claims about a sharp drop in H-1B visas under President Donald Trump’s latest immigration policy.
Crowder, who hosts the popular conservative show “Louder with Crowder,” posted a clip on X discussing the impact of a reported $100,000 fee on some H-1B visa applications filed from outside the United States. According to Crowder, the policy has already led to a major decline in applications and approvals.