Sunita Williams addresses diaspora anxiety, says ‘America is built on immigrants’

Speaking to India Abroad at the Kerala Literature Festival, the retired NASA astronaut reflects on immigration, identity, and the risks of politicizing the talent that underpins America’s scientific and technological leadership.

Sunita Williams at the sidelines of the Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode. / India Abroad

Indian American astronaut Sunita Williams said the United States derives its strength from immigrants who work and contribute to society, as anxiety grows within the Indian diaspora over shifting immigration policies and political rhetoric.

Williams, a recently retired NASA astronaut, made the remarks Jan. 22 on the sidelines of the Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode, Kerala, during an exclusive interview with India Abroad. She was asked about the vulnerability of America’s scientific and technological ecosystem when immigration becomes politicized.

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Sam Patel

2026-01-23 00:00:00

Reality is so different.

America is built on the blood and torture of natives by early immigrants. The later immigrants have been a mixed bag. Many have made it better and many have done it bad.

Similar is the story everywhere. Take the case of India. Immigrants have made it better but many more immigrants have done horrible things on natives and built their wealth and Europe. Religions have come for refuge and turned and slaughtered the natives and continue to assert their right; here I speak of Islam and Christianity that came in refuge and then the rest is right in front of us.