US Senator Eric Schmitt sparks row over 'visa temple' remark on Hyderabad’s Chilkur Balaji Temple
Washington/Hyderabad: US Senator Eric Schmitt has triggered controversy after targeting Hyderabad’s Chilkur Balaji Temple—popularly known as the “Visa Temple”—while criticising America’s H-1B visa programme in a series of posts on social media platform X.
Schmitt, a Republican senator from Missouri, argued that US employment-based visa programmes such as H-1B, L-1, F-1, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) are suppressing wages and displacing American workers.
He alleged that these systems contribute to what he described as a global “Visa Cartel,” claiming they are “hollowing out” the American middle class.
He further wrote that “billions now flow to India for AI training instead, subsidised by Americans.”
Controversial reference to Chilkur Balaji Temple
In one of his posts, Schmitt shared an image of the Chilkur Balaji Temple, calling it a “Visa Temple” and alleging that it is visited by Indians seeking blessings for US visa approvals.
He claimed that “Visa Cartel” practices are tied to such religious sites, stating that thousands of applicants perform rituals seeking success in visa interviews.
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.
— Senator Eric Schmitt (@SenEricSchmitt) May 13, 2026
American workers shouldn’t have to compete against a system this gamed. pic.twitter.com/k7wSlECTJ6
The remarks quickly drew criticism online for linking immigration policy debates with religious practices.
Claims on foreign students and tech hiring
Schmitt also alleged that foreign students—many of them from India—benefit from taxpayer-subsidised work permits and later transition into H-1B visas and green cards, while American graduates compete for fewer jobs.
He further argued that large technology companies use visa-linked hiring pipelines that disadvantage US workers, claiming that “merit is now replaced by ethnic favoritism.”
Context of the 'visa temple' reference
The Chilkur Balaji Temple in Hyderabad is widely known in popular culture as the “Visa Temple,” where devotees traditionally visit and pray for success in foreign travel and visa applications.
The temple attracts thousands of visitors, especially students and IT professionals preparing for overseas opportunities, though it remains a place of general worship and not formally linked to any visa process.
Schmitt’s comments have reignited debate in the US over skilled immigration policies, particularly the H-1B visa programme, where Indian nationals consistently form a large share of approved applicants.
Critics and supporters of the system remain divided over its impact on wages, innovation, and labour markets.
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