Once celebrated as a model minority for their success and integration, Indian-Americans in the US are now facing growing hostility online. Despite making major contributions to the American economy and innovation, especially in Silicon Valley, they are being targeted by nativist and racist narratives. The backlash began after Sriram Krishnan was named as the White House advisor on AI, triggering criticism from far-right figures who viewed his appointment as contradictory to an “America First” agenda.
What started as objections to tech elites quickly turned into a broader attack against Indian-Americans, accusing them of job theft and misuse of work visas, despite their success being largely a result of hard work, education, and cultural adaptation. Indian-Americans now represent an astounding example of achievement. With a median income of $136,000—nearly double the US average—they make up only 1.5% of the population but contribute 5-6% of federal tax revenues.
Their influence spans multiple sectors: 1 in 10 doctors in the US is of Indian origin, 60% of US hotels are owned by Indian-Americans, and they dominate convenience store ownership, generating billions in revenue. In tech, Indian founders have co-created 72 of the 358 unicorn startups in the US since 2018, accounting for about 20% of all immigrant-founded unicorns. These billion-dollar companies are valued at over $195 billion and employ around 55,000 people.
Nearly 78% of Indian-Americans hold at least a bachelor’s degree, feeding talent into top leadership positions at companies like Google, Microsoft, and YouTube. Strong cultural values, education, and perseverance have helped turn Indian-led startups into symbols of a modern American Dream—a story of innovation, risk-taking, and unmatched success.
