WASHINGTON, DC (Michigan News Source) – Indian-born Michigan Democrat Shri Thanedar recently called out America for “Hinduphobia,” claiming that opposition to the country’s H-1B visa policies discriminate against Indian professionals.
The term “Hinduphobia”, typically associated with cultural or religious prejudice, is now being stretched by the U.S. Representative to cover debates about visa quotas for foreign workers.
Thanedar stands up against “hate.”
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In a late December 2024 post on X, Thanedar commented, “Racism in America is still alive and well, and we must stand up to it together.” He shared his comment after what he called “deplorable rhetoric targeting Indian Americans.” Thanedar also introduced a resolution in April of 2024 condemning all Hinduphobia.
Thanedar pushes for H-1B expansion amid debate.
In another post Thanedar says, “All Americans make America great, including immigrants. We must increase H1B ten fold and eliminate country quotas. Make it easy to check immigration status, give EAD to all green card applicants, and quadruple USCIS staffing budget to expedite legal immigration. This is how you make America the greatest ever.”
Thanedar argues that restrictive visa caps stifle opportunities for skilled Indian workers, who make up a large portion of H-1B applicants. However, critics suggest this isn’t about Hinduphobia and instead is about global talent competition and how the visas drive down American wages.
Opposition to expanding visa quotas.
Andre Barnes, Engagement Director for Numbers USA, reminded Thanedar on X that Americans did not elect Donald Trump to the White House to prioritize creating jobs for foreigners saying, “This is not what Americans voted for in 2024. They want less immigration. Lower immigration will give Americans, especially Black Americans, more opportunities to fill jobs. We need the American dream to be extended to citizens of this country as well!!”
The diversity dilemma.
The H-1B program’s purpose is to fill gaps in the U.S. labor market with foreign workers in specialty occupations, but detractors say it’s often exploited by corporations to outsource jobs. Thanedar’s claim might play well in sound bites, but for workers in Michigan and across the U.S. who feel displaced by outsourcing, this rhetoric rings hollow. That includes some Tesla workers who were laid off by Musk in favor of H-1B visa holders.
The debate among Republicans.
Conservatives have been having a robust debate about foreign worker visa quotas since the topic emerged.
Leaders in the tech industry, including DOGE’s Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, champion the H-1B visa program as vital for attracting elite global talent to sustain the U.S.’s technological edge. Musk, who once relied on an H-1B visa to work in the U.S., highlights a persistent shortage of exceptional domestic engineers, stressing the program’s necessity for innovation and economic growth.
MAGA movement pushback.
Not all Republicans are on board though. MAGA-aligned voices like Laura Loomer and Steve Bannon denounce the program, arguing it displaces American workers and drives down wages by enabling companies to hire lower-paid foreign labor. This faction pushes for stricter immigration policies and prioritization of American jobs, framing the H-1B as a betrayal of the working class.
Beyond partisan lines.
The H-1B debate cuts across party lines, with figures like Senator Bernie Sanders also voicing concerns about American job displacement. This issue encapsulates broader divisions over immigration, labor, and economic policies, revealing tensions not only within the GOP but also across the political spectrum.
Trump’s take.
Trump broke his silence on the issue during a recent phone interview with the New York Post, remarking, “I’ve always supported the visas. That’s why they exist. I have many H-1B visas at my properties. I’ve used the program extensively and believe in it. It’s a great program.”
Thanedar said about working with Trump and others on the issue, “As a member of Congress, I’ve pledged to work across the aisle to reform our immigration system,” Thanedar said. “Unfortunately, the H-1B visa discourse has been hijacked by racism and xenophobia. Attracting talented immigrants benefits everyone, and we must streamline the system.”
As the debate heats up, the H-1B visa remains a key flashpoint in America’s labor and immigration policies. Shri Thanedar’s invocation of “Hinduphobia” injects an unnecessary cultural angle into what most view as a fundamentally economic issue, further polarizing the conversation.
While tech leaders push for expansion and critics caution against job losses for Americans, Trump will face tough decisions in the Oval Office as he navigates the delicate balance between opportunity and protecting the U.S. labor market.
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