Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar, a Democrat from Michigan, has emerged as a prominent voice against Hinduphobia and racism in the United States. Born in Karnataka, India, Thanedar has become a target of hateful rhetoric following his vocal support for the H-1B visa program and increased legal immigration.
Championing immigration reform
Thanedar recently advocated for expanding the H-1B visa program, which enables skilled foreign workers to contribute to the US economy. “By increasing H1-B visas and streamlining the H1-B and green card process, America maintains our edge on innovation & discovery,” he stated in a tweet. He criticized the anti-immigrant sentiments often seen in MAGA circles, labeling them as driven by “racism and xenophobia.”
Backlash from MAGA hardliners
Thanedar’s stance sparked a wave of online hate, with xenophobic comments calling for him to “go back to India” and questioning his loyalty to the United States. Comments ranged from “Can I buy you a ticket to Mumbai?” to accusations of undermining American workers.
Condemning Hinduphobia
In response, Thanedar introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning Hinduphobia. “Racism in America is still alive and well, and we must stand up to it together. Just read the replies to any recent post that includes ‘H-1B’ to see the deplorable rhetoric targeting Indian Americans,” he said.
The H-1B debate and its critics
The H-1B program has been a polarizing topic, with MAGA supporters claiming it displaces American workers, despite evidence to the contrary. Indian workers, who dominate the program, are often targeted due to their numbers and success in securing high-skilled jobs in the US
Critics, like Vivek Ramaswamy, pointed to cultural differences, saying, “Our American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long. A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math Olympiad champ…will not produce the best engineers.”
Shri Thanedar’s growing influence
Thanedar’s rise as a prominent advocate against racism and Hinduphobia has placed him at the forefront of discussions on immigration and diversity. As a Congressman who straddles the worlds of American politics and his Indian heritage, his efforts highlight the ongoing challenges and contributions of Indian Americans in shaping the US narrative.
