Archive · 16 Nov 2025
CEO Held by FBI Cites US Xenophobia After Airport Encounter
A successful businessman named Vishen, who has a special visa for talented people and has lived and worked in the U.S. for many years, was stopped by FBI agents when he arrived in Miami.
They asked him about his recent trips and for his social media accounts.
Vishen felt this was unfair and worrying, especially because he pays U.S. taxes and runs a company that employs many people.
He thinks that some politicians are making the U.S. too afraid of people from other countries, which he calls xenophobia.
This experience made him nervous about visiting America again.
He shared his story, and many people online agreed, feeling that the U.S. is becoming less welcoming to talented individuals.
He hopes Americans will choose leaders who support values like freedom and immigration.
Mindvalley CEO Vishen Lakhiani, a Malaysian entrepreneur of Indian descent, was questioned by FBI agents upon landing in Miami, despite holding an O-1 visa for extraordinary ability.
Agents inquired about his recent international travel (Dubai, Istanbul, Brazil) and requested his social media handles and WhatsApp number.
Lakhiani, who has lived and paid U.S. taxes for over 20 years and leads a U.S. firm with 230 employees, criticized the encounter as a sign of growing 'xenophobia' and 'fearmongering' in U.S. politics.
He expressed anxiety about future travel to the U.S., stating the country felt 'closed and narrow-minded' and linking this to a decline in tourism and foreign student applications.
The incident sparked online discussion about the treatment of skilled professionals and the current U.S. political climate regarding immigration and border security.
- Who
- Vishen Lakhiani, Malaysian (Indian descent) CEO of an American firm employing 230 people worldwide.
- What
- Lakhiani was questioned by FBI agents upon landing in Miami despite holding an O-1 visa, leading him to criticize rising xenophobia and fearmongering in US politics and express anxiety about future travel to the U.S.
- When
- Upon landing in Miami, November 16, 2025 (implied).
- Where
- Miami, United States.
- Why
- Lakhiani believes the questioning reflects increasing xenophobia and fearmongering in US politics, despite his O-1 visa and long-term contributions to the US. The FBI's specific reasons were not detailed but implied to be standard security procedures.
CEO's Experience and Concerns
FBI's Role (Implied)
Treatment of Skilled Immigrants
CEO's Experience and Concerns
Vishen Lakhiani, an O-1 visa holder and CEO of a US-based company, was questioned by FBI agents upon arrival in Miami, including requests for his social media and WhatsApp information. He feels this experience reflects increasing 'xenophobia' and 'fearmongering' in US politics and is concerning for skilled professionals.
FBI's Role (Implied)
The FBI agents were described by Lakhiani as 'super nice' and professional, suggesting they were conducting their duties as required, likely part of standard security and immigration checks for individuals entering the country.
US Political Climate and Immigration
CEO's Experience and Concerns
Lakhiani believes the US is becoming 'closed and narrow-minded' due to politicians who 'scapegoat immigrants', expressing anxiety about future travel to the US and stating he 'can't wait for the next election'. He links this to a decline in tourism and foreign student applications.
FBI's Role (Implied)
The questioning appears to be part of standard procedures for border security and immigration, irrespective of visa status or professional achievements, indicating a focus on national security protocols.
- CEO Name
- Vishen Lakhiani
- Origin
- Malaysian (Indian descent)
- Visa Type
- O-1 (Extraordinary Ability)
- Company
- Mindvalley (American firm)
- Company Details
- Employs 230 people worldwide
- US Ties
- Over 20 years building companies in the U.S.; Paid U.S. taxes for 22 years
- Incident Location
- Miami, United States
- Date of Incident
- November 16, 2025 (implied by 'Trump's America' context and current date interpretation)
Sources
Indian-origin CEO Vishen Lakhiani stopped by FBI at Miami airport, calls out xenophobia in US
'Can’t Wait for Next US Election': Why O-1 Visa Holder Indian Origin CEO Called Out 'Crazy Fearmongering' in America
Indian-origin CEO stopped by FBI, slams rising hostility towards immigrants in US
‘Can’t Wait For Next Election’: Indian-Origin CEO, Stopped In US Despite O1 Visa, Calls Out Xenophobia
