US steps up vigilance against fake visa seekers

The recent incidents involving members of Parliament in human trafficking rackets and the fraudulent use of Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi's name to wangle a US visa has led to the US embassy to step up vigilance in the matter.

Embassy officials said they were "alarmed" by the mad rush of "clearly unqualified" visa applicants in recent weeks and is cooperating with Indian government agencies to arrest people who turn up with false documents.

"There are individuals and companies who are taking advantage of being an Indian citizen by suggesting they can provide a short cut to an American visa. We want to make it clear that no firm or person can help you obtain a US visa," Geoff Pyatt, Charge d'Affaires at the US mission in New Delhi, said.

Kaestner said the unqualified people applying for visas are wasting their money and making it harder for legitimate travellers. Last month, in Delhi alone Rs 95 lakh were spent by those people whose applications were turned down.

Embassy officials said US missions in India received 4.6 lakh applications for visas last fiscal ending September 2006 and expect the figure to go up to six lakhs this fiscal.

"In the light of this rush and in the wake of reports about human smuggling to the US and other countries, the US mission is increasing its vigilance to eliminate smuggling and visa fraud," Pyatt said without citing any specific instance about emigration racket.

"We have not changed our visa regulations or laws or procedures in terms of qualifying for a visa. Indians still must qualify just like they did before ," Peter G Kaestner, Consul General at the US Embassy, said.