The Hindu American Foundation sought a public apology from Florida politician Chandler Langevin who said Indians in America only care about the profit of their own country. Langevin is facing a major outrage for his comment that he eventually deleted but he defended his stand and said he did not attack the Indian-American community; he only spoke against visa holders or illegal immigrants. While the Palm Bay council voted to recommend Langevin’s suspension, HAF said it is unacceptable to demonize or scapegoat an entire group based on their ethnic or national origin. “Moreover, the false narrative that Indian Americans are taking American jobs and don’t care about America betrays the vital contributions made by the Indian American community in Florida. Indian Americans are not only contributors to Florida’s economy but also significant job creators and small business owners who employ Americans of all backgrounds in hospitality, retail, healthcare, and service businesses that are cornerstones of local economies,” the HAF said, asking for a public apology from Langevin and also a meeting with Indian-American community leaders.

Florida senator says Langevin’s remarks are repulsive

Republican senator of Florida Debbie Mayfield wrote to Governor Ron DeSantis, calling for Langevin’s suspension. “His remarks are repulsive and could not be further from the truth. Nonetheless, when the community expressed their outrage at the post, rather than backing down, he released a statement standing by the hateful rhetoric. As a state we must continue to reject racism in all aspects…” the senator wrote.

‘I stand by comments’

Langevin said he spoke with the leaders of the Indian community and he believed that he said nothing wrong about Indians. “I stand by comments in regard to all forms of illegal immigration, and I believe that there are significant flaws in our immigration system that are working against Americans. The H1-b visa is one of these and made up of predominantly Indian immigrants,” he said. “The reason the Indian lobby is fighting me so vociferously right now is because change in this area will lead to the inability to flood our country with more Indians that will inevitably price out and push out Americans from the market,” he said. “If my comments were incorrect then the “Indian community” would be respecting my Constitutional right to speak in the public square and perhaps attempting to schedule a sit down with me.”“Instead they have applied pressure on every politician I know and are interrupting the City’s business to make an example out of me that expressing the wrong opinion will not be tolerated. You’re not going to beat me,” Langevin said.