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Krishnamoorthi condemns anti-Indian hate speech in Florida
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi denounces a Florida city council member’s remarks against Indian immigrants, linking the rhetoric to rising xenophobia.
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Staff Reporter - Tue, 21, Oct 2025
- 14:33 EDT
- 27
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi / Courtesy: File Photo
Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi has condemned anti-Indian remarks made by Florida city councilman Chandler Langevin, calling them “dangerous” and warning that such rhetoric fuels division and fear.
His statement, released Oct. 18, comes in response to comments made by Palm Bay City Council Member Chandler Langevin, who in multiple social media posts accused Indian immigrants of coming to the U.S. to “drain our pockets” and called for their deportation.
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“It’s unacceptable—and dangerous—that in 2025 we’re hearing elected officials call for the mass removal of Indian Americans,” Krishnamoorthi said. “This rhetoric echoes the cruelty of Donald Trump’s mass ICE raids and fuels a climate of fear that harms families across our nation.”
The Palm Bay City Council voted unanimously earlier this month to censure Langevin and formally request his removal, describing his remarks as a violation of public trust. Many council members, including Councilman Mike Hammer, supported the measure, which awaits state-level action.
Krishnamoorthi linked the episode to the broader effects of Trump-era immigration enforcement. “When hate speech is normalized and communities are scapegoated, our democracy is weakened,” he said.
“We must stand together across every community against all forms of hate. Protecting our democracy means ensuring everyone can live free from fear and discrimination, no matter their skin color, accent, or country of origin,” he added.
Civil rights organizations and advocacy groups, including the South Asian American Policy Council, also condemned the remarks, describing them as “a dangerous escalation” in anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Indian-American residents in Palm Bay have organized community meetings and town halls to encourage civic engagement and solidarity.
Krishnamoorthi’s statement comes as immigration remains a central issue ahead of the midterm elections, particularly in states with growing South Asian populations.
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