Washington, USA: Far-right activist Laura Loomer has ignited a firestorm of controversy following her recent derogatory comments about Indian immigrants in the U.S. A vocal supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, Loomer referred to South Asian migrants as “third-world invaders from India” during discussions on the H-1B visa program. The remarks have drawn significant backlash, including from prominent Trump supporters such as biotech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

The H-1B Visa Controversy

The H-1B visa is a crucial component of the U.S. immigration system, allowing American companies to hire foreign workers in specialized fields like technology. In 2024, over 85,000 H-1B visas were granted from a pool of 400,000 applicants. Major companies, including Google, Amazon, and Tesla, rely on this program to recruit top-tier talent.

Loomer's comments began when she criticized the appointment of Indian-American entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan as senior policy adviser for AI at the White House. Loomer deemed the decision “deeply disturbing,” reigniting debates about U.S. immigration policies and the impact of foreign talent in the workforce.

In her now widely condemned statement, Loomer said, “Our country was built by white Europeans, not third-world invaders from India.” She further emphasized, “It’s not racist to want the original MAGA policies I voted for. I voted for a reduction in H-1B visas, not an extension.”

The Backlash

Loomer’s comments quickly attracted criticism from across the political spectrum. Vivek Ramaswamy, a strong Trump supporter and biotech entrepreneur, defended the role of immigrants in the U.S. workforce, explaining on X (formerly Twitter), “Top tech companies hire foreign-born engineers not because of an American IQ deficit but because our culture has celebrated mediocrity over excellence. We need tough questions for tough answers.”

Elon Musk joined the conversation, dismissing Loomer’s remarks as “trolling for attention” and advising people to ignore her. Loomer fired back, accusing Musk of undermining Trump’s stance and pandering to the tech elite.

Entrepreneur David Sacks also responded, clarifying that Krishnan’s advocacy for removing country caps on green cards was about ensuring equal access to skilled professionals, not promoting unrestricted immigration. Musk agreed, commenting, “Makes sense.”

Loomer’s History of Controversy

This is far from the first time Laura Loomer has sparked outrage. Known for her inflammatory rhetoric, including her self-proclaimed “proud Islamophobia,” Loomer has faced criticism from within her own political circles, including from figures like Vice President-elect JD Vance and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Her divisive comments have often left her isolated even among fellow conservatives.