While such cases raise legitimate concerns about corporate practices, experts warn that they should not justify racist attacks on Indian communities
A growing wave of hostility against people of Indian origin in the United States is raising concern, especially as Indians continue to play a major role in high-skilled sectors such as technology and medicine. Recent reports suggest that nearly 80 per cent of anti-Asian slurs online are now directed at South Asians, highlighting a troubling shift in racist rhetoric.
The backlash was recently visible at a City Council meeting in Frisco, a rapidly expanding suburb near Dallas, Texas, where around one-third of residents are of Asian heritage. During the meeting, several speakers claimed there was an “Indian takeover” of the city and accused Indian professionals of being “fraudsters” and “low-quality scammers,” without providing evidence. One speaker even used a reference to the former white-ruled Rhodesia, drawing criticism for invoking extremist language.
Local leaders tried to distance themselves from these remarks. Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney said the most extreme comments came from “outside agitators” and did not reflect the views of most residents. However, the incident reflects a wider pattern across the country, where Indian professionals are increasingly singled out in political debates and online discussions.
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Indians form a large share of the US high-skilled workforce
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In 2023, about three-quarters of the roughly 400,000 approved high-skilled worker visas were granted to Indian nationals, according to the Pew Research Center
The Dallas–Fort Worth area was among the top regions for such approvals. Critics often claim these workers take jobs from Americans, though experts say high-skilled immigrants contribute significantly to innovation and economic growth.
Some past controversies have fuelled resentment. In 2015, employees at Walt Disney World were laid off and asked to train replacement workers on temporary visas. More recently, a US jury found in 2024 that Cognizant, a major IT firm, had discriminated against non-Indian employees.
