Last-Minute H-1B Visa Revocation Leaves Indian Worker Stranded Ahead of Return Flight

A distressing case has come to light of an H-1B visa holder who received a shocking 'visa revocation' notice just days before their scheduled return flight to the US. The individual had traveled to India on November 2 due to a family emergency and was set to return on December 23. However, on December 15, they received an email from the US Consular General in Kolkata stating that their visa had been revoked on December 15, citing new information that made them ineligible for the visa. The notice advised them to reapply for a new visa if they wished to travel to the US. This case has raised concerns about the new social media verification policy implemented by the US, which requires visa applicants to keep their profiles public for review by immigration officials. The State Department has defended this policy, stating that every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The H-1B visa holder in question has denied any prior involvement in criminal activities and is now left stranded in India. This incident comes at a time when the US has introduced a one-time fee of $100,000 for new H-1B work visas, which may significantly impact Indian workers pursuing temporary jobs in the US. The US grants 85,000 H-1B visas annually, with the majority going to Indian workers who are often seen as a replacement for American workers. The controversy surrounding these visas has sparked debate about their misuse and the impact on the US job market.