Suspense crime, Digital Desk : A wave of panic is sweeping through the Indian tech community as reports emerge of H-1B visa holders being denied entry into the United States, having their visas cancelled, and being sent back to India upon arrival. What should be a routine return to work is turning into a nightmare for many professionals from major tech hubs like Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

The issue stems from intense scrutiny by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at airports. According to immigration experts, agents are conducting lengthy interrogations, sometimes lasting for hours, examining phones and laptops, and questioning workers about the specifics of their job duties. The core problem appears to be a perceived “mismatch” between the work described in their original visa application and the actual tasks they perform for their company’s clients.

This situation frequently affects employees of major IT consulting firms. These workers are officially employed by one company (the visa petitioner) but are often assigned to work on projects for another, larger company (the “end client”). CBP officials are reportedly flagging cases where they believe the daily tasks performed for the end client differ from the job description submitted by the employer during the initial visa process.

The consequences are severe. Individuals are not just being turned away; their H-1B visas are being cancelled on the spot. In many reported cases, they are also being handed a five-year ban from re-entering the United States, effectively derailing their careers and upending their lives. They are then put on the next available flight back to India.

This crackdown has sent shockwaves through the H-1B community. Many Indian professionals currently in the U.S. are now reportedly hesitant to travel back to India for vacations or family emergencies, fearing they may be blocked from returning to their jobs and homes. The uncertainty has created a climate of anxiety for thousands of skilled workers and their families.

As this situation unfolds, it serves as a stark warning about the increasing scrutiny at U.S. borders and the complexities of navigating the American immigration system for foreign professionals.

Read More: H-1B Nightmare: Indian Tech Workers Interrogated, Deported at US Airports Over Job Role ‘Mismatch’