Pak-origin writer Wajahat Ali’s viral rant highlights the demographic shift in the United States, asserting that "brown people have taken over America" and that the country has "lost" its cultural dominance. His speech came amid former President Donald Trump’s controversial move to halt immigration from what he termed “third-world countries.”
Ali attributed this shift to immigration policies starting in 1965, which allowed large numbers of people from South Asia to move to the U.S. He said, “Our grandmother comes, our grandfather comes, our uncle comes, our aunt comes,” emphasizing the extended family networks that follow initial migrants. Ali added that the influx has led to South Asian cultural staples becoming common, stating, “There will be a Patel motel or a desi restaurant everywhere.”
This commentary arose after Trump paused immigration following a shooting incident allegedly committed by an Afghan national. Trump’s social media announcement aimed to block immigrants he considered “not an asset” to the U.S. He used the phrase “third-world countries,” a Cold War-era term long criticized for its outdated and derogatory implications.
Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna criticized Trump’s language and policy, noting that it would have affected his own immigrant parents. Khanna called the move “callous & frightening,” urging for compassion and respect for immigrant families. He stated the policy risks revoking citizenship from those deemed “non-compatible,” undermining years of hard work by immigrants from countries like Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala.
Key Points on the Controversy:
- Wajahat Ali’s viral rant highlights demographic changes due to immigration policies since 1965.
- He humorously framed South Asian migration as an “invasion” through extended family networks.
- Trump halted immigration from “third-world countries” following a shooting by an Afghan national.
- The term “third-world countries” faces criticism for being outdated and offensive.
- Congressman Ro Khanna condemned the policy and language as harmful to immigrant communities.
Ali’s remarks sparked debate on immigration’s cultural and political impact in the U.S. The exchange reflects ongoing tensions over America’s identity and immigration policy in today’s polarized climate.
