Concerns Over Fake Diplomas and Medical Professionals from India
In December 2025, authorities in India confiscated more than 100,000 counterfeit diplomas from 28 universities linked to employment at U.S. companies.
A recent report from former U.S. diplomat Mahvash Siddiqui indicates that between 80% and 90% of the H-1B visa applications from India that she analyzed contained fraudulent documents or involved unqualified applicants.
What’s even more disturbing is that due to policies in place for many years promoting the swift hiring of foreign medical staff, some of these applicants may currently hold positions as doctors and surgeons – effectively practicing medicine across the United States.
These complex immigration issues have turned into a public health and safety problem, potentially endangering American lives.
While Indian professionals possess significant skills and bring value to the U.S., the actions of those misusing the immigration system with fake credentials cast a shadow over qualified individuals from India.
India stands as the largest source of physicians and surgeons in the United States and ranks second in the total number of registered medical professionals.
However, the quality of medical education in India raises important questions about the readiness of these graduates for the U.S. healthcare system. For instance, it’s reported that obtaining a medical degree in India costs around $800, with students able to become general practitioners in as little as 5.5 years. In contrast, American doctors typically spend 11 to 15 years, plus substantial tuition fees, to achieve their qualifications.
In 2020, three Indian-American doctors faced accusations of conducting fraudulent studies based on false data. Holding prominent roles, including chief of cardiothoracic surgery and professor positions at prestigious institutions, these doctors published misleading findings in major medical journals, including those discussing COVID-19 treatments. One of them, Mandeep Mehra, publicly apologized and remains in a high-ranking medical position.
Another case involved Anoop Shankar, who claimed to have graduated from India’s top medical school and was appointed as the first endowed professor at West Virginia University. Despite this, there was no evidence to support his qualifications, and he was expelled. He later published research in reputable journals before leaving the U.S. amid federal fraud charges.
In November 2025, a former paramedic, Samrat Mukherjee, who never graduated from medical school, falsely presented himself as a doctor for years, inadvertently putting patients’ lives in jeopardy. He was eventually sentenced after admitting to his fraudulent claims.
Last week, Dr. Ashok Muralidharan was charged after a botched procedure left a 13-year-old girl in critical condition when an upside-down heart valve was fitted. This alarming situation begs the question of how counterfeit medical credentials can slip through checks in the U.S. healthcare system.
The United States has systems like the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) to prevent fake doctors from practicing; however, there’s a trend of states easing requirements for foreign-trained physicians. This is often attributed to an ongoing physician shortage. Yet, as highlighted by a recent scandal, even the USMLE can be compromised, raising concerns about the number of foreign healthcare workers with forged credentials treating American patients.
Job postings for healthcare roles often specify immigration status requirements, such as J-1 or H-1B visas, which adds another layer to the complexity. The increase of AI-generated doctors taking advantage of telemedicine only complicates matters further.
These worrying trends have sparked debates about the legitimacy of credentials held by some Indian professionals in the U.S. and whether the culture of credential fraud has made its way here.
The U.S. health care system faces challenges due to its heavy reliance on foreign-trained doctors, which many argue should prompt a greater investment in training more American medical professionals.
The search for foreign-trained physicians began in earnest in 1997 when caps were placed on Medicare-funded residency positions, limiting hospitals’ ability to expand their graduate programs despite the rising number of medical school graduates. This disconnect has forced many unable to secure residency slots to look for other paths, often entering fields where they compete against foreign candidates.
In short, the situation regarding fake credentials in the healthcare field has created barriers, hindering American professionals from securing jobs and educational opportunities. Over the last few years, significant layoffs in tech have often substituted American workers with immigrants primarily from India, raising more eyebrows about the standards in these hiring practices.
Americans deserve confidence in their healthcare providers; they shouldn’t have to question the qualifications or the integrity of the services offered. A system overly reliant on foreign-trained doctors, DEI initiatives, and questionable credentials has no place in American healthcare.
