U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi has pushed back against a Palm Bay, Florida, city councilman after the local politician once again targeted the Indian American congressman and Indian diaspora in a series of social media posts.
Palm Bay City Councilman Chandler Langevin recently directed a message at Krishnamoorthi, writing, “I won Rajesh. Take your curry and go home.”
Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois, responded directly to the remark, making clear that he has no intention of leaving the United States.
“I’m staying. So is the curry. America is my home. No bigot gets to decide who is American, who belongs here, or what they have for dinner. That’s the America I’ll always fight for,” Krishnamoorthi said.
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The latest exchange comes nearly a year after Langevin came under national scrutiny for a series of social media posts targeting Indians and Indian Americans.
In 2025, Langevin called for the government to “deport every Indian immediately” and made other remarks about Indian immigrants and H-1B workers. His comments drew criticism from Indian American groups, local residents and elected officials from both political parties.
Langevin later turned his criticism toward Krishnamoorthi after the congressman spoke out against his remarks.
He referred to Krishnamoorthi as a “foreign occupier,” mocked his name as “Unpronounceable” and listed his country of origin as “Tatooine,” a fictional planet from the Star Wars franchise.
Krishnamoorthi, who was born in India and raised in Peoria, Illinois, had previously responded to Langevin’s comments by rejecting the characterization.
The Palm Bay City Council took action against Langevin in October 2025 following the controversy. On Oct. 2, the council voted 4-1 to ask Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to suspend Langevin from office. Later that month, the council voted 3-2 to censure him.
The censure restricted Langevin’s ability to introduce agenda items, speak during council reports and serve on city-appointed boards and committees.
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Despite the action, Langevin remains a member of the Palm Bay City Council.
His latest comments have renewed attention on his earlier posts and his exchanges with Krishnamoorthi. Recent reporting has documented additional posts by Langevin targeting Indian immigration and the Indian American community.
The dispute also comes amid a broader national debate over immigration, H-1B visas and the role of Indian immigrants in the U.S. workforce. Krishnamoorthi has been a prominent voice on immigration and Indian American issues in Congress.