Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Anti-India Hate Enters US Midterm Election Campaign Debate
Anti-Indian and anti-South Asian language has become part of some US election debates.
This is happening as Americans argue about immigration, population changes and H-1B work visas.
In Frisco, Texas, a mayoral candidate used insulting words about South Asian immigrants but lost the election.
In another Texas campaign, Bo French said a crowd at a university showed that Americans were being replaced by foreigners.
University data showed that most undergraduates were Texas residents and only 4.3 percent were international students.
A government post also used an AI-generated image of a Sikh-looking man in a message about undocumented immigrants.
The Sikh Coalition objected, and the post was removed.
A few days later, a Sikh truck driver was stabbed in Wyoming.
These events have made questions about hate, immigration and who belongs in America part of the campaign discussion.
Anti-Indian and anti-South Asian rhetoric has moved from online disputes into US political campaigns.
Frisco mayoral candidate Rod Vilhauer used derogatory language about South Asian immigrants but lost to Mark Hill, who won 58% of the vote.
Texas Republican nominee Bo French portrayed a largely South Asian-looking University of Texas crowd as evidence that Americans were being displaced by foreigners.
A Department of Homeland Security post featuring an AI-generated Sikh-looking figure was deleted after objections from the Sikh Coalition.
Days later, a 28-year-old Sikh truck driver from Sacramento was stabbed 17 times at a Wyoming rest stop and hospitalized.
- Who
- Indian, Sikh and other South Asian Americans; political candidates and officials including Rod Vilhauer, Bo French, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Department of Homeland Security officials; and a 28-year-old Sikh truck driver.
- What
- Anti-India and anti-South Asia rhetoric, immigration disputes and alleged hate incidents have entered US political campaigning and public debate.
- When
- In the months leading up to the US midterm elections, including incidents reported in May and September.
- Where
- The incidents and political debates involved Frisco and Austin, Texas; Palm Bay, Florida; and a rest stop on Interstate 80 in Wyoming.
- Why
- The issue has been driven by arguments over immigration, demographic change and H-1B visas, as well as concerns about increasing anti-South Asian hate rhetoric and crime.
Critics of Anti-South Asian Rhetoric
Immigration-Enforcement Arguments
Political language
Critics of Anti-South Asian Rhetoric
Critics say references to an “Indian takeover,” foreigners replacing Americans and derogatory descriptions of South Asians turn immigration debates into anti-Indian or anti-South Asian rhetoric.
Immigration-Enforcement Arguments
Bo French presented a largely South Asian-looking university crowd as evidence of foreign displacement, while the Department of Homeland Security framed its post as part of an effort to report undocumented immigrants.
Community belonging
Critics of Anti-South Asian Rhetoric
Raja Krishnamoorthi said America was his home and that no politician could decide who is American after Chandler Langevin told him to “take your curry and go home.”
Immigration-Enforcement Arguments
Langevin used the exchange to direct an immigration-related insult at Krishnamoorthi, an elected American official, making the dispute about national belonging as well as immigration.
Public-safety messaging
Critics of Anti-South Asian Rhetoric
The Sikh Coalition objected to the DHS image because it depicted a Sikh-looking person in a hostile message, and the post was subsequently deleted.
Immigration-Enforcement Arguments
DHS said the campaign encouraged people to report undocumented immigrants driving on US roads, presenting the message as an immigration-enforcement effort.
- Frisco mayoral result
- Mark Hill won 58% of the vote over Rod Vilhauer.
- University of Texas enrollment
- International students made up 4.3% of undergraduates, while more than 80% were Texas residents.
- Congressional response
- Seven members of Congress condemned Bo French's characterization of the university crowd.
- DHS social-media post
- The post used an AI-generated brown-skinned, bearded figure identified as “Mr. Singh” and urged undocumented immigrants to self-deport.
- Post outcome
- The Department of Homeland Security deleted the post after the Sikh Coalition raised concerns.
- Wyoming stabbing
- A 28-year-old Sikh truck driver from Sacramento was stabbed 17 times and hospitalized.