A Texas daycare owner has come under scrutiny after a video surfaced showing him objecting to claims that his businesses had sponsored dozens of foreign workers through the US H-1B visa program. Critics described it as a “pay-to-play” scheme.The footage was shared by BlazeTV and Texas personality Sara Gonzales. It shows him interrogating the operator of the Allen Infant Care Center, formerly known as Golden Acorn Academy, in North Texas. Gonzales says the daycare is affiliated with Golden Qi Holdings LLC and autism therapy provider DFW ABA Center.According to their findings, the businesses have collectively filed more than 50 labor status applications and sponsored at least 37 H-1B visa workers. Some of the roles listed include market research analysts and supply chain analysts, positions that appear to be unrelated to daycare or childcare services.During the confrontation, the owner, identified as Yuan Yao, refused to answer questions and repeatedly asked Gonzales to speak to his attorney. Asked about the allegations, he declined to provide documents, saying, “I can only tell you, everything is legal.”Gonzales also asked for public records that employers are required to keep under H-1B rules, but said these were not produced during the exchange.The video also includes claims from a whistleblower who is said to be familiar with the businesses. “He sells visas,” the man alleged, and claimed foreign workers paid up to $20,000 for sponsorships. The whistleblower also alleged that some workers were underpaid after arriving in the US, saying the owner “asks them to work for him without any fees.”Questions were also raised about whether the daycare facility was actively running. Gonzales said during his visit that “this day care just closed” and it appears changes are underway.It was also reported that businesses had received over $100,000 in Paycheck Protection Program loans that were later forgiven.The H-1B visa program allows US employers to hire foreign workers into specialist roles, but requires them to demonstrate genuine job requirements and be paid a set salary level.Gonzales said she plans to convey her findings to federal officials, questioning why an allegedly defunct daycare would continue to file H-1B petitions.The confrontation comes as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is already investigating suspected H-1B abuses in North Texas. His office had previously issued civil demands following reports of companies allegedly running “ghost” operations while sponsoring foreign workers.
