Texas Lawyer Viral Video Sparks H-1B Visa Debate: Facts vs Fiction
A viral video spreading on social media platform X has ignited fresh controversy over the H-1B visa program. The video makes explosive claims about a single immigration lawyer in Texas, alleging he approved hundreds of thousands of visas. This has angered the MAGA base, leading to renewed calls for suspending the program.
The Viral Allegations
The video focuses on Dallas-based attorney Chand Parvathaneni. It alleges large-scale visa fraud connected to IT "shell companies." The central claim states Parvathaneni "approved" 700,000 H-1B applicants since 2020.
This claim is misleading. Immigration lawyers do not approve visas. H-1B petitions receive approval or rejection from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Attorneys only prepare and submit applications on behalf of employers.
Examining the Numbers
Public data from H-1B tracking websites like MyVisaJobs shows Parvathaneni has been associated with over 20,000 Labour Condition Applications since around 2020. This is a high number for one attorney. However, it could reflect his staff's specialization in employment-based immigration.
The firm likely handles many filings for IT consulting and staffing companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. High volume alone does not prove wrongdoing.
Addressing the Address Issue
The video shows public records indicating multiple IT companies listing the same residential addresses in suburbs like Irving, Frisco, and Plano. It points to examples where dozens of H-1B workers were tied to a single house or apartment.
The video claims a "99% suspicion rate" with over 3,000 allegedly fake or shared addresses. However, these figures are not official findings. No government agency has labeled these filings fraudulent or assigned a suspicion score.
The numbers appear to come from user-led analysis of public data rather than from the Department of Labor or USCIS.
Legal Context for Shared Addresses
Shared or residential addresses can raise red flags, but they are not automatically illegal. Small consulting firms, remote operations, or early-stage companies may legally operate from residential locations.
Allegations of "shell companies," benching, or fake jobs require formal investigation and proof. There is currently no evidence that Parvathaneni faces criminal charges, bar discipline, or sanctions.
Searches of Texas Bar records, federal court filings, and USCIS or Department of Justice announcements show no action against him as of January 2026. He remains a licensed attorney and has publicly spoken about compliance and fraud prevention.
Broader H-1B Concerns and Context
Concerns about abuse in the H-1B system remain a popular narrative under Trump's second administration. Federal indictments in Texas during May and June 2025 exposed real visa fraud schemes involving fake jobs and forged documents.
USCIS assisted in those investigations. However, those cases involved different individuals and firms. They have no confirmed link to Parvathaneni.
USCIS has since increased site visits, audits, and lottery reforms to curb abuse nationwide. The agency continues working to ensure program integrity while processing legitimate applications.
The viral video taps into genuine concerns but mixes them with misleading claims. It highlights how immigration issues can quickly become politicized, especially during election cycles.
