New Delhi/Washington: A major controversy has emerged over the United States immigration system after federal agencies claimed to have uncovered large-scale alleged fraud in the Optional Practical Training visa program. The investigation has flagged thousands of foreign students and multiple suspicious employers accused of exploiting visa rules by creating fake employment records.
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Shell Companies and Empty Offices
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services reportedly found several cases where companies existed only on paper, with no real operational activity at their listed locations.
According to officials, some firms claimed to employ hundreds of foreign students, but their listed offices were found to be empty, locked, or completely inactive. In several instances, multiple companies were registered at the same address, raising further suspicion about coordinated misuse of the system.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said in a press briefing that investigators have identified more than 10,000 foreign students linked to employers categorized as “highly suspect.” He stated that the OPT program, originally designed to provide practical training opportunities to international students after their studies, has increasingly turned into an “uncontrolled labor migration pipeline.”
Site Visits Reveal Suspicious Employer Records
During the investigation, officials conducted site visits across several U.S. states including Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Florida. Many locations reportedly turned out to be empty buildings, closed doors, or addresses where hundreds of students were allegedly employed on paper.
Reports also suggest that some residential properties were listed as corporate offices. In several cases, residents at those addresses reportedly denied any knowledge of the companies. Investigators also flagged irregularities in financial records, tax filings, and employment documentation linked to multiple firms.
Officials from Homeland Security Investigations alleged that several shell companies were created by the same individuals or groups, primarily to generate fake employment records for foreign students. In some cases, companies claimed their HR and management operations were based in India, while no staff was physically present at their U.S. addresses.
International Links and Visa Oversight in Focus
Investigators further noted discrepancies where companies reported only a handful of employees, while government data allegedly showed connections to more than 500 foreign students. Authorities say this pattern strongly indicates organized and coordinated fraud.
Officials believe the network may have international links and could span multiple jurisdictions. The investigation is ongoing, with financial activities of several companies now under detailed review.
Immigration experts suggest that if the allegations are proven, the case could trigger major reforms in the OPT program, particularly in employment verification systems for foreign students and oversight of sponsoring employers.
