TOI correspondent living in Washington: An Indian-American lawmaker who voiced support for the H-1B visa program and the expansion of legal immigration to the United States was viciously trolled by MAGA grievances over the weekend, as debate on the issue polarized even the United States. He was asked to “return to India.” Indian-born Americans and legal immigrants are bearing the brunt of extreme xenophobic ire.
“Can I buy you a ticket to Mumbai? One way, of course.” “Wow, you foreigners are paying shillings to have more of your countrymen flocking to my country and competing with my people.” Damn it. You’re unnaturalized and you want to increase H-1B visas and streamline the H-1B and green card processes and give America an edge in innovation and discovery. It allows you to maintain your sexuality.”
“As an immigrant myself, the H-1B issue is close to my heart,” the Karnataka-born U.S. congressman said in a series of posts on the issue, adding, “Attracting legal, talented immigrants to the United States. It benefits everyone, and it benefits the United States.” The system needs to be streamlined and reformed. ”
“Unfortunately, the H-1B visa debate has been hijacked by MAGA racism and xenophobia. It is wrong and must be condemned. should be brought in,” Thanedar wrote.
Xenophobia, which primarily targets Indians who receive the majority of H-1B visas, is openly expressed in more extreme MAGA circles that refuse to accept the argument that the United States lacks talent, skills, and academic talent. It’s exploding. American dominance in the 21st century. They say that US companies, including Elon Musk and his companies, collude with “body shopping” companies to “import” low-wage foreign workers, primarily from India, and undercut American workers’ wages. They accuse the government of trying to downgrade and ultimately replace them.
“Can you reconcile that historically 73% of H-1Bs went to Indians, 13% went to Chinese, and 0.3% went to European groups such as Germans?” one commentator wrote. , asked Mr. Thanedar without taking into account India’s population, English proficiency, or established immigration routes through U.S. college graduates.
Also fueling the xenophobic anger were comments from Vivek Ramaswamy, a Trump follower and colleague of Musk’s, who said that, among other cultural factors, there is a lack of emphasis on education and academic rigor. He opened a whole new can of worms by claiming that China could “get our butts handed over to us.” In a highly competitive global market for technical talent.
“For too long, our American culture has worshiped mediocrity over excellence…A culture that celebrates prom queens over Math Olympiad champions, athletes over valedictorians, doesn’t produce the best engineers.” ” Ramaswamy wrote.
These posts sparked an outpouring of anger from MAGA hardliners who saw them as “suppression” of white xenophobia.
“The Woodstock generation managed to build aerospace, the generation before that went to the moon, and America was doing well. The basis of your post is that until we were rescued by H-1B, we were… They all lived in poor conditions. So why did everyone want to come here?” ” one critic responded, while another wrote , “What percentage of Indian households have flush toilets? I think it’s completely ridiculous that someone from a caste system would denigrate American culture.” ” he argued.
Some Indian-American Republicans find their support for MAGA misplaced and viewed with disdain by the far right, as Vivek once said on television. This was a public rejection of Ann Coulter, a white conservative commentator who told Ramaswami: You said…but I wouldn’t have voted for you because you’re Indian. ”
MAGA chauvinists say the H-1B visa program does not allow American workers They claimed that they are being misused and exploited by American and Indian tech companies and Indians to lower their wages and fire them. Qualified personnel for the job and other Department of Labor compliance requirements.
