US Senator Eric Schmitt triggered controversy online after criticising Hyderabad’s Chilkur Balaji Temple, popularly known as the “Visa Temple,” while attacking the US H-1B visa system. In a series of posts on X, the Republican senator claimed that employment-based visa programmes such as H-1B, L-1, F-1, and OPT are weakening the American middle class by lowering wages and replacing local workers. He alleged that billions of dollars are being directed to India for AI training at the expense of American taxpayers.

Schmitt shared an image of the Chilkur Balaji Temple, saying it is visited by Indians seeking blessings for successful US visa approvals. Referring to it as part of a so-called “Visa Cartel,” he argued that American workers are being forced to compete with a system designed to favour foreign labour.

He further claimed that many foreign students, particularly Indians, receive taxpayer-supported work opportunities before transitioning into H-1B visas and green cards, creating competition for American graduates burdened with student debt. In another post, Schmitt alleged that Indian visa applicants circulate confidential interview questions among each other and accused major tech companies of preferring foreign hiring pipelines over American workers.

Hyderabad is widely known for temples associated with visa aspirations, especially among students and IT professionals. Among them, the Chilkur Balaji Temple is the most famous, attracting devotees seeking blessings for US visa approvals. India continues to dominate H-1B visa approvals, accounting for nearly 70–80% of all visas issued annually, while China makes up around 12%.