An Indian H‑1B professional, Rishikesh Raj Meesala, has filed a federal lawsuit in Texas accusing Plano‑based IT company Progress and its CEO Sai Jitender Kalagra of forced labour, extortion and human‑trafficking violations under the US H‑1B visa programme. The complaint, filed by immigration litigation firm Banias Law, alleges that the company exploited Meesala’s immigration dependence to extract cash payments and withhold critical documents needed to maintain lawful status.
According to the lawsuit, Meesala joined the firm in 2023 after completing his master’s degree, attracted by the promise of H‑1B sponsorship and a path to permanent residency. But when his H‑1B became active on 1 October 2024, he was immediately placed on the “bench”—left without client assignments or pay. Under US labour rules, H‑1B workers must be paid even when unassigned, but the lawsuit claims the company instead told him to fund his own payroll to avoid falling out of status.
The filing alleges that Progress withheld pay stubs and payroll records—documents essential for visa extensions, employer transfers and green‑card applications. Meesala claims he was pressured into paying $8,800 in cash to obtain these records. The lawsuit further states that the company demanded more than $10,700 for “administrative and visa‑related expenses,” costs that US immigration law prohibits employers from shifting onto H‑1B workers.
When Meesala resisted, the complaint says he was threatened with immigration consequences, including potential deportation. These allegations form the basis of claims under US anti‑trafficking statutes, which cover coercive practices tied to immigration status.
The case highlights long‑standing concerns about exploitation within the H‑1B system, where workers’ legal status is tied to their employer, creating opportunities for abuse.