Anti-India rhetoric flares after Texas journalist's H-1B video goes viral
Anti-India and anti-Hindu remarks by a self-described MAGA supporter drew backlash after a Texas journalist's H-1B visa video went viral, fuelling online outrage and debate over immigration enforcement.
A social media post by a man identifying himself as a "MAGA patriot" has drawn criticism for promoting anti-India and anti-Hindu sentiment, amid the circulation of a controversial video on the H-1B visa programme in Texas.
Blake Kresses, responding to a video posted by US-based journalist and influencer Sara Gonzales, recounted his experience working on political campaigns in the Dallas–Fort Worth area in 2022.
"I worked on political campaigns in this area of DFW in 2022. Every door I knocked on, an Indian answered. They could barely speak any English. They all had demonic elephant idols in their windows," Kresses wrote, referring to the Hindu deity Ganesh.
"You would not believe the number of nice, suburban homes taken up by migrants," he added.
The remarks drew swift backlash online, with several users calling them racist and offensive. Indian-origin commentator Anang Mittal responded sharply, describing the comments as “hateful.”
Kresses's post followed Gonzales's video, which she described as a "major expose" of alleged misuse of the H-1B visa programme in Texas. Shared on X and her BlazeTV YouTube channel, the video documents Gonzales visiting addresses linked to companies that had received approvals for H-1B visa holders.
Gonzales claimed that 3Bees Technologies sponsored 27 H-1B visas while listing an address in Irving, Texas, which she said turned out to be a residential apartment with no company signage or employees present. She also alleged that Qubitz Tech Systems, registered in Frisco, Texas, applied for 13 H-1B visas and secured approvals for 12, with similar discrepancies at its listed location.
During one visit, Gonzales attempted to seek clarification from a representative listed as the visa contact for Qubitz Tech Systems, Hari Madiraju. According to her, the person declined to provide information and called the police, alleging threats. Audio included in the video captures the call, showing Gonzales insisting that no threats were made.
Gonzales argued that the companies were exploiting the H-1B programme under the guise of hiring highly skilled professionals, despite the absence of offices or staff at the declared addresses.
The H-1B visa programme allows US employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations when qualified local talent is unavailable. Immigration lawyers and advocacy groups have warned that the absence of large offices or the use of residential addresses does not necessarily indicate illegal activity, particularly for startups or staffing firms.
A social media post by a man identifying himself as a "MAGA patriot" has drawn criticism for promoting anti-India and anti-Hindu sentiment, amid the circulation of a controversial video on the H-1B visa programme in Texas.
Blake Kresses, responding to a video posted by US-based journalist and influencer Sara Gonzales, recounted his experience working on political campaigns in the Dallas–Fort Worth area in 2022.
"I worked on political campaigns in this area of DFW in 2022. Every door I knocked on, an Indian answered. They could barely speak any English. They all had demonic elephant idols in their windows," Kresses wrote, referring to the Hindu deity Ganesh.
"You would not believe the number of nice, suburban homes taken up by migrants," he added.
The remarks drew swift backlash online, with several users calling them racist and offensive. Indian-origin commentator Anang Mittal responded sharply, describing the comments as “hateful.”
Kresses's post followed Gonzales's video, which she described as a "major expose" of alleged misuse of the H-1B visa programme in Texas. Shared on X and her BlazeTV YouTube channel, the video documents Gonzales visiting addresses linked to companies that had received approvals for H-1B visa holders.
Gonzales claimed that 3Bees Technologies sponsored 27 H-1B visas while listing an address in Irving, Texas, which she said turned out to be a residential apartment with no company signage or employees present. She also alleged that Qubitz Tech Systems, registered in Frisco, Texas, applied for 13 H-1B visas and secured approvals for 12, with similar discrepancies at its listed location.
During one visit, Gonzales attempted to seek clarification from a representative listed as the visa contact for Qubitz Tech Systems, Hari Madiraju. According to her, the person declined to provide information and called the police, alleging threats. Audio included in the video captures the call, showing Gonzales insisting that no threats were made.
Gonzales argued that the companies were exploiting the H-1B programme under the guise of hiring highly skilled professionals, despite the absence of offices or staff at the declared addresses.
The H-1B visa programme allows US employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations when qualified local talent is unavailable. Immigration lawyers and advocacy groups have warned that the absence of large offices or the use of residential addresses does not necessarily indicate illegal activity, particularly for startups or staffing firms.