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Anti-Indian rhetoric fuels U.S. hate levels: Report
Survey links sustained racism to policy climate, with Pacific Islanders seeing a rise in targeted incidents.
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Malvika Choudhary - Sat, 02, May 2026
- 17:18 EDT
- 143
Representative Image / Canva
Political rhetoric targeting Indians and other Asian communities, along with anti-immigrant policies, sustained high levels of hate in the U.S in 2025, with nearly half of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AA/PI) adults reporting incidents, according to a new report.
The Stop AAPI Hate report found that 49 percent of AA/PI adults experienced a hate act in 2025, marking the third consecutive year of persistently high levels, compared to 53 percent in 2024 and 49 percent in 2023. Rates remained consistent across age, gender, income, language, and ethnic groups.
Also Read: AAPIs, broader public split on meaning of being American
“Our new research shows that Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the U.S. have continued to face alarmingly high levels of racism and discrimination for three consecutive years,” said Cynthia Choi.
“While our survey has tracked this disturbing trend since 2023, our reporting center data, our previous research, and other sources show the surge began in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic – and anti-AA/PI hate has remained elevated since then because xenophobic, politically motivated attacks against our communities have continued year after year,” she added.
Researchers attributed the trend to factors including political leaders stoking anti-Indian and anti-Chinese sentiment, the 2024 campaign of President Donald Trump amplifying xenophobic rhetoric, and policies that intensified anti-immigrant narratives.
Harassment remained the most common form of hate (44 percent), followed by institutional discrimination (23 percent), physical harm (13 percent), and property damage (10 percent).
Hate incidents most frequently occurred online (43 percent), in public spaces (40 percent), and at businesses (36 percent).
The report highlighted intersectional targeting, with 52 percent of respondents saying other aspects of their identity were attacked alongside race or ethnicity, including age (27 percent), gender (25 percent), and class (23 percent).
Indian-origin individuals were among those targeted, with incidents reflecting threats of deportation and abuse tied to anti-immigrant rhetoric.
More than half (53 percent) of respondents said they or someone they know was affected by immigration policies or anti-immigrant sentiment, with similar levels reported among U.S.-born and foreign-born individuals, as well as citizens and non-citizens.
Among key impacts, 36 percent reported their citizenship status had been questioned or feared it could be, 30 percent faced or feared detention or deportation, and 28 percent considered leaving the United States.
The prevalence of hate targeting Pacific Islanders rose to 57 percent in 2025 from 47 percent the previous year.
Hate also had measurable mental health impacts. Among those affected, 73 percent reported stress, 49 percent reported feeling isolated, and 25 percent showed symptoms of anxiety or depression.
Reporting remained limited, with only 22 percent approaching formal authorities and 54 percent sharing their experiences. Just 33 percent received any support, while 48 percent said support was insufficient.
Participation in activities to counter racism declined to 56 percent in 2025 from 74 percent in 2023 and 66 percent in 2024, though 67 percent said they remain motivated to advance equity for AA/PI communities.
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