South Asians in the United States have long been described as a “model minority,” a label often associated with academic achievement, economic mobility and professional success. Over the decades, they have become one of the country’s fastest-growing demographic groups and established a significant presence across the American economy and society.
But that narrative is increasingly being challenged. As anti-Indian and anti-immigrant rhetoric grows louder across parts of the United States, many South Asian Americans are grappling with questions about belonging, safety and the future of the American Dream. What explains this shift in perception, and how does it fit into the broader history of immigration and race in the United States?
Few people have tracked these trends as closely as Manjusha Kulkarni, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and executive director of AAPI Equity Alliance, a coalition representing more than 1.6 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Los Angeles County.
A nationally recognized civil rights attorney and advocate, Kulkarni has spent years documenting hate incidents and advocating for policies to protect vulnerable communities. In this conversation with The American Bazaar, she discusses the rise in hostility toward South Asians and Indian H-1B visa holders, why states such as Texas have become flashpoints, and how today’s backlash echoes a darker chapter of American history, when Indian immigrants were portrayed as threats and ultimately barred from entering the country.
READ: ‘Go back to India’ to online threats: South Asian Americans face rising hostility as anti-immigrant sentiment grows (September 6, 2026)
The American Bazaar: We are seeing increasingly aggressive rhetoric directed at South Asians, and Indian H-1B holders in particular, ranging from accusations of job theft and failed assimilation to conspiracy theories that portray immigrants as a demographic threat. From your perspective, what is driving this rise in hostility, and what are the implications for South Asian communities and the broader immigration debate in America?
Manjusha Kulkarni: The data shows that hate-fueled rhetoric against South Asian people is widespread, growing and showing no signs of letting up. We’ve seen marked spikes in online slurs and threats of violence directed at the Indian community that correlate with increased visibility of the community, whether it’s debate about H-1B visa policies or the political ascendance of figures like Kamala Harris and Usha Vance.
With a fast-growing population and increasing visibility of the community, bad actors are attempting to recast Indian Americans — from “model minority” and “economic asset” into “demographic threat.” We’re seeing this shift show up explicitly in debates over H-1B visas, where rhetoric doesn’t stop at policy disagreement but veers into unfounded accusations rooted in the racist “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory. It’s worth noting that this isn’t new: Indian immigrants faced similar “unassimilable” and job-theft accusations a century ago, before Congress moved to ban immigration from India outright. What is different now is the speed: Social media lets bigoted rhetoric and ideas spread and shape policy debates in real time, at a pace and scale not possible before.
The past many months have seen a rising tide of anti-Indian sentiment across many parts of the U.S. However, there does seem to be a pattern: Certain states, such as Texas, have become hotspots, with marches and town hall debates targeting Indians. Why do you think certain states are seeing more hate than others?
READ: Indian American lawmakers urge diaspora to fight anti-India hate (July 26, 2026)
We are seeing anti-South Asian hate in a wide variety of states, most of which have sizable South Asian populations. Yes, one state that stands out, though, is Texas, which has a rapidly growing South Asian population. Political figures have framed this demographic change as a threat and pushed policies targeting H-1B visa holders in particular. When that kind of rhetoric comes from elected officials or organized groups, it doesn’t just reflect existing hate — it encourages more of it.
Given the rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric, shifting immigration policies, and growing concerns among many immigrant communities about belonging and safety, how do you view the current immigrant experience in America? Are there any broader trends or changes you have observed in recent years, particularly among South Asian immigrants, in terms of how they see themselves, their place in American society, and their faith in the promise of the American Dream?
Many South Asian immigrants in America today are dealing with what we call “triple othering.” They’re facing racial bias, religious bigotry — since most are Hindu, Muslim or Sikh rather than Christian — and xenophobia, often all at once. And they are not only facing interpersonal hate acts; they are also facing a rise in discriminatory policies from the government. This pile-on of hate is having harmful impacts on many immigrant communities, who are losing faith in the American Dream. Our research shows that people are avoiding public places, becoming less politically active or staying quiet on social media because the current climate has made visibility feel risky. This kind of withdrawal has real costs for these individuals and for the communities they’re part of.