Indians in the U.S., both legal residents and a percentage of undocumented individuals, are facing unprecedented levels of hatred and jealousy from Americans. While there are illegal immigrants from various countries, their numbers are nowhere near the sizable undocumented population from Mexico.
However, the level of hatred toward Indians appears to be much higher than toward undocumented illegal immigrants from any other country.
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An online poll further highlights this sentiment. The poll asked participants whether they would prefer illegal Mexicans in the U.S. or legal Indians.
A staggering 48,000 people participated, with the majority being Americans, and the results were shocking—48% preferred having illegal Mexicans over legal Indians. If this poll is taken as a representative sample, it reveals a troubling trend.
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The reasons behind this growing anger vary.
One of the primary factors is the apparent display of wealth by Indians in recent years. Many Indians in the U.S., particularly those in white-collar jobs, own expensive cars like Teslas and live in upscale homes.
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Owning a $1 million house is no longer a big deal for Indian immigrants, whereas, for the average American, it remains a significant challenge. While there is nothing wrong with purchasing homes or expensive cars with hard-earned money, the increasing showoff behavior among some Indians has triggered jealousy and resentment within the American community.
Cultural differences further widen the divide. Unlike Chinese or even uneducated Mexican immigrants, who often mingle more seamlessly into American society, a significant portion of Indians tend to remain within their own communities. This lack of social mingling creates a disconnect, making it difficult for many Americans to understand or relate to the Indian mindset. Even if most Indians are polite and simply mind their own business, they are often perceived as a privileged, affluent group coming in and taking economic opportunities.
Additionally, certain behaviors by some Indian groups or individuals have aggravated tensions.
Instances of loud celebrations at theaters like Regal, Cinemark, and AMC during Telugu or Tamil film releases—where groups gather, scream, shout, and cut cakes—are seen as disruptive and mindless behavior in the eyes of Americans.
Similarly, large-scale car rallies, whether political, religious, or related to movie stars, even when legally permitted, do not sit well with mainstream American culture. These actions, though carried out by a small section, contribute to a growing negative perception of the Indian community as a whole.
As a result, the divide continues to grow, and anger mixed with jealousy within the American community is increasing.
The unfortunate reality is that if this trend persists, the hostility and jealousy may eventually extend to Indian-American children born in the U.S., who, despite being citizens by birth, could also face discrimination in the future. This situation is concerning, and unless there is a cultural shift or corrective measures are taken, tensions may only escalate further.
