1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

I am writing as part of a coalition of H-1B professionals and U.S. employers regarding an urgent issue. H-1B visa interviews at the U.S. Consulates in Chennai, India and Hyderabad, India in December and January have been rescheduled to dates as far out as April 2027, while *no new interview slots have been opened since December 3, 2025* . Since December 3, 2025, there has been zero new H-1B slot availability in India. Even the cancelled slots are not being made available for those stuck in India and looking to reschedule to earlier dates. As a result, thousands of professionals and their dependent family members are stranded, including individuals who traveled last minute for emergencies. Even applicants with previously confirmed appointments have seen them pushed out by over a year, preventing their return to U.S. jobs. There has been no communication or timeline from the U.S. Embassy or the Department of State as to when they will open new slots. The H-1B community *fully understands the importance of social media screening* for U.S. national security and is prepared to comply with all requirements. However, the lack of interview access is causing severe hardship. I respectfully request clarity and action on the following: 1. Immediate opening of regular interview slots for those stranded in India and for U.S.-based workers needing emergency travel. 2. Resolution of RCE13 errors affecting applicants who paid visa fees over a year ago and cannot book emergency appointments or reschedule. 3. ⁠Availability of January and February interview slots for applicants who completed biometrics in early December. Prolonged work disruptions for thousands of skilled workers risk broader economic impacts, including mortgage distress, housing market instability, disruption to children’s education, and downstream effects on U.S. employers and local economies. I respectfully ask for your engagement with the Department of State to address this urgently. Thank you for your time and leadership.