<p>An Indian-origin, Malaysia-born CEO, Vishen Lakhiani, who has been paying taxes in the US for 22 years, recounted a harrowing experience of being stopped by the FBI at a US airport despite holding a valid O-1 visa, which is granted to individuals with extraordinary ability. Lakhiani raised concerns about growing xenophobia in the US while claiming in an Instagram post that the incident made him “dread visiting” a country he has long admired. He shared his experience of being questioned by two FBI agents the moment he stepped out of the plane in Miami. The FBI agents asked him why he visited countries like Istanbul, Dubai and Brazil and told him to provide all his social media handles and WhatsApp number.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-slashes-tariffs-on-groceries-fearing-us-voters-ire-over-inflation-cheers-indian-exporters-1763234307740"><strong>Trump rolls back tariffs on groceries fearing US voters’ ire over inflation; Indian exporters cheer</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Lakhiani, who has a net worth of around $40 million, shared that he has been contributing to the US economy for over two decades and has paid taxes for 22 years in America as he leads a company with 230 employees globally.</p><p>He slammed what he described as increasing fear-based political rhetoric against immigrants, saying the US is becoming “closed and narrow-minded” due to leaders who “blame immigrants instead of offering real solutions.” He expressed the hope that the next election would bring change.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRAmz9KAalG/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRAmz9KAalG/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRAmz9KAalG/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Vishen (@vishen)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Lakhiani’s comments sparked an online debate about immigration policies, airport screenings, and the political climate in the US. His video has been watched over one million times and many others shared similar experiences.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“Yes! That’s exactly why I left, even though I also had a talent visa. I couldn’t live there anymore; it gave me anxiety,” one user wrote.</p><p>Another user said, “I love America, but I’ve decided not to visit for the next few years because racial profiling is real.”</p><p>“I’m so sorry, Vishen. Your experience doesn’t represent how all of us feel. I’m glad you’re here. ICE and those agents who questioned you should reflect on their actions. Travel safe, my friend,” said a third user in support for Lakhiani.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-blast-suspects-used-dead-drop-emails-to-plan-attacks-reveals-probe-1763220717682"><strong>Delhi blast suspects used ‘dead drop’ emails to plan attacks, reveals probe</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The incident reveals how political rhetoric and narrative in the US are affecting foreign workers, entrepreneurs, and long-term contributors entering the US.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Lakhiani is the founder and CEO of Mindvalley, an online learning platform focused on personal development. He has written two books, ‘The Code of the Extraordinary Mind’ and ‘The Buddha and the Badass’. He often addresses topics related to education, workplace culture, politics, and overall wellbeing.</p>

The CEO of Mindvalley shared his experience of being questioned by two FBI agents the moment he stepped out of the plane in Miami. The FBI agents asked him why he visited countries like Istanbul, Dubai, and Brazil and told him to provide all his social media handles and WhatsApp number.

An Indian-origin, Malaysia-born CEO, Vishen Lakhiani, who has been paying taxes in the US for 22 years, recounted a harrowing experience of being stopped by the FBI at a US airport despite holding a valid O-1 visa, which is granted to individuals with extraordinary ability. Lakhiani raised concerns about growing xenophobia in the US while claiming in an Instagram post that the incident made him “dread visiting” a country he has long admired. He shared his experience of being questioned by two FBI agents the moment he stepped out of the plane in Miami. The FBI agents asked him why he visited countries like Istanbul, Dubai and Brazil and told him to provide all his social media handles and WhatsApp number. Also Read: Trump rolls back tariffs on groceries fearing US voters’ ire over inflation; Indian exporters cheer Lakhiani, who has a net worth of around $40 million, shared that he has been contributing to the US economy for over two decades and has paid taxes for 22 years in America as he leads a company with 230 employees globally. He slammed what he described as increasing fear-based political rhetoric against immigrants, saying the US is becoming “closed and narrow-minded” due to leaders who “blame immigrants instead of offering real solutions.” He expressed the hope that the next election would bring change.

<p>The CEO of Mindvalley shared his experience of being questioned by two FBI agents the moment he stepped out of the plane in Miami. The FBI agents asked him why he visited countries like Istanbul, Dubai, and Brazil and told him to provide all his social media handles and WhatsApp number.</p>

Indian-origin CEO stopped by FBI, slams rising hostility towards immigrants in US

<p>The Joe Biden administration has warned schools and colleges in the United States that the nation is witnessing an "alarming rise" in antisemitism and Islamophobia. The authorities have urged educational institutions to take immediate action against the rising threats and harassment.</p>

<p>In a letter on Tuesday (Nov 7), the US Education Department said that in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, there was a "renewed urgency" to fight discrimination against students.</p>

<p>"Antisemitism, Islamophobia and all other forms of hatred go against everything we stand for as a nation," said Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in a statement.</p>

<p>However, hate crimes, unfortunately, are nothing new in the United States.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the wake of history-changing events like the 9/11 terror attack, the Covid pandemic and now the Israel-Hamas war, the 'land of opportunity' as it was once called becomes the hot bed for Xenophobia — the fear or dislike of anything which is perceived as being foreign or strange.</p>

<h2><strong>Aftermath of Israel-Hamas war</strong></h2>

<p>In the wake of the ongoing war in the Middle East, the US has seen an "alarming rise" in cases of antisemitism and Islamophobia, as per the Biden administration.</p>

<p>In a recent statement released on the 25th Anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act, President Joe Biden said: "Here at home, we are facing a rising tide of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of discrimination that are fuelling violence and hate across our country."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hate-crime-nyu-students-seen-tearing-down-posters-of-young-israeli-children-kidnapped-by-hamas-watch-648203">NYU students seen tearing down posters of young Israeli children kidnapped by Hamas. Watch!</a></strong></p>

<p>However, the US President said that "in the wake of Hamas' brutal terrorist assault against Israel," they are "working with community partners to identify, prevent, and disrupt any threats that could harm the Jewish, Muslim, Arab American, Palestinian American, or any other communities."</p>

<p>After Hamas militants launched their attack on October 7, incidents of hate crimes started cropping up very rapidly.</p>

<p>One case that left the world shocked involved a six-year-old child, who became the victim of a senseless hate crime borne out of fear.</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mom-im-fine-family-reveal-6-year-old-hate-crime-victims-heartbreaking-last-words-647816">'Mom, I'm fine': 6-year-old Muslim boy's heartbreaking last words before dying in hate crime</a></strong></p>

<p>Soon after the war started, Wadea al-Fayoume, a Palestinian-American Muslim boy, was stabbed 26 times with a military-style knife in his home in Illinois, US.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The motive of the crime? Hatred.</p>

<p>The assailant, Wadea's landlord, 71-year-old Joseph M Czuba reportedly entered the little boy's family home yelling: "You Muslims must die!".</p>

<p>In the attack, the child's 32-year-old mother also suffered several stabbing wounds and had to be hospitalised.</p>

<p>Similarly, there have been reports of several disturbing spillovers and prejudices against Muslims and Jews. This includes reports of university students beating up their classmates, tearing down posters of Israeli children taken hostage, and more.</p>

<p>Are these once in a blue moon kinds of incidents?</p>

<p>Unfortunately, no. Modern history has already been witness to two such major episodes, where a particular race or religion saw widespread hatred: the Covid pandemic and the 9/11 attacks.</p>

<h2><strong>Asian community becomes the target</strong></h2>

<p>In 2020, the world came face to face with a dangerous common enemy: the coronavirus.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An invisible ailment that targeted our bodies from the inside forced the global population to quarantine themselves from the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Millions lost their lives as humanity everywhere grappled with the rapidly strengthening foe, whose origins remain unclear even now.</p>

<p>Origin theories point the finger at China and postulate that the virus which was first recorded in the nation's Wuhan is either a laboratory leak — accidental or intentional, or that it is a zoonotic disease that jumped species in Wuhan's wet markets.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rise-in-hate-crime-against-asian-americans-amid-pandemic-us-senators-296718">Rise in hate crime against Asian-Americans amid pandemic: US senators</a></strong></p>

<p>During the almost two years when the pandemic was at its peak, in the US, as per the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), crimes against the Asian American community saw a significant rise.</p>

<p>Between 2019 and 2020, there was a 77 per cent increase in hate crimes against Asian people living in the US.</p>

<p>Furthermore, during the period from March 2020 to June 2021, more than 9,000 anti-Asian hate incidents were reported, as per advocacy group Stop AAPI Hate Center. This included verbal harassment, including being called things like the "Chinese Coronavirus".&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per a Health Affairs report, these numbers are not a just reflection of the incidents as hate crimes frequently go unreported. A 2021 poll by Axios/Ipsos, called the 'Hard Truth Civil Rights &amp; Social Justice poll' found that 82 per cent of Asian Americans agreed that as a group they've faced discrimination because of the coronavirus pandemic. More than 57 per cent said they often or sometimes feel unsafe in public.</p>

<h2><strong>Muslims, Arabs and Islamophobia</strong></h2>

<p>After the horrific 9/11 attack in the US, there was a hate crime backlash that targeted&nbsp;people of Arab and Muslim origins. Even Sikhs, South Asians and those perceived to belong to be Arab or Muslim also faced the adverse response.</p>

<p>These incidents were marked by ferocity and included murder, physical assaults, arson, vandalism of places of worship and other property damage, death threats and public harassment.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-antisemitic-islamophobic-incidents-surge-with-war-advocates-say-651470">US antisemitic, Islamophobic incidents surge with war, advocates say</a></strong></p>

<p>As per the Human Rights Watch, most of these violent incidents occurred in the first months after September 11. FBI data shows a seventeen-fold increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>What does this data tell us? Does the United States — the dream destination&nbsp;of many from developing nations — able to fully grasp the concept of tolerance?</p>


The Joe Biden administration has warned schools and colleges in the United States that the nation is witnessing an "alarming rise" in antisemitism and Islamophobia.

The Joe Biden administration has warned schools and colleges in the United States that the nation is witnessing an "alarming rise" in antisemitism and Islamophobia. The authorities have urged educational institutions to take immediate action against the rising threats and harassment. In a letter on Tuesday (Nov 7), the US Education Department said that in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, there was a "renewed urgency" to fight discrimination against students. "Antisemitism, Islamophobia and all other forms of hatred go against everything we stand for as a nation," said Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in a statement. However, hate crimes, unfortunately, are nothing new in the United States. In the wake of history-changing events like the 9/11 terror attack, the Covid pandemic and now the Israel-Hamas war, the 'land of opportunity' as it was once called becomes the hot bed for Xenophobia — the fear or dislike of anything which is perceived as being foreign or strange. Aftermath of Israel-Hamas war In the wake of the ongoing war in the Middle East, the US has seen an "alarming rise" in cases of antisemitism and Islamophobia, as per the Biden administration. In a recent statement released on the 25th Anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act, President Joe Biden said: "Here at home, we are facing a rising tide of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of discrimination that are fuelling violence and hate across our country." Also read | NYU students seen tearing down posters of young Israeli children kidnapped by Hamas. Watch! However, the US President said that "in the wake of Hamas' brutal terrorist assault against Israel," they are "working with community partners to identify, prevent, and disrupt any threats that could harm the Jewish, Muslim, Arab American, Palestinian American, or any other communities." After Hamas militants launched their attack on October 7, incidents of hate crimes started cropping up very rapidly. One case that left the world shocked involved a six-year-old child, who became the victim of a senseless hate crime borne out of fear. Also read | 'Mom, I'm fine': 6-year-old Muslim boy's heartbreaking last words before dying in hate crime Soon after the war started, Wadea al-Fayoume, a Palestinian-American Muslim boy, was stabbed 26 times with a military-style knife in his home in Illinois, US. The motive of the crime? Hatred. The assailant, Wadea's landlord, 71-year-old Joseph M Czuba reportedly entered the little boy's family home yelling: "You Muslims must die!". In the attack, the child's 32-year-old mother also suffered several stabbing wounds and had to be hospitalised. Similarly, there have been reports of several disturbing spillovers and prejudices against Muslims and Jews. This includes reports of university students beating up their classmates, tearing down posters of Israeli children taken hostage, and more. Are these once in a blue moon kinds of incidents? Unfortunately, no. Modern history has already been witness to two such major episodes, where a particular race or religion saw widespread hatred: the Covid pandemic and the 9/11 attacks. Asian community becomes the target In 2020, the world came face to face with a dangerous common enemy: the coronavirus. An invisible ailment that targeted our bodies from the inside forced the global population to quarantine themselves from the world. Millions lost their lives as humanity everywhere grappled with the rapidly strengthening foe, whose origins remain unclear even now. Origin theories point the finger at China and postulate that the virus which was first recorded in the nation's Wuhan is either a laboratory leak — accidental or intentional, or that it is a zoonotic disease that jumped species in Wuhan's wet markets. Also read | Rise in hate crime against Asian-Americans amid pandemic: US senators During the almost two years when the pandemic was at its peak, in the US, as per the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), crimes against the Asian American community saw a significant rise. Between 2019 and 2020, there was a 77 per cent increase in hate crimes against Asian people living in the US. Furthermore, during the period from March 2020 to June 2021, more than 9,000 anti-Asian hate incidents were reported, as per advocacy group Stop AAPI Hate Center. This included verbal harassment, including being called things like the "Chinese Coronavirus". As per a Health Affairs report, these numbers are not a just reflection of the incidents as hate crimes frequently go unreported. A 2021 poll by Axios/Ipsos, called the 'Hard Truth Civil Rights & Social Justice poll' found that 82 per cent of Asian Americans agreed that as a group they've faced discrimination because of the coronavirus pandemic. More than 57 per cent said they often or sometimes feel unsafe in public. Muslims, Arabs and Islamophobia After the horrific 9/11 attack in the US, there was a hate crime backlash that targeted people of Arab and Muslim origins. Even Sikhs, South Asians and those perceived to belong to be Arab or Muslim also faced the adverse response. These incidents were marked by ferocity and included murder, physical assaults, arson, vandalism of places of worship and other property damage, death threats and public harassment. Also read | US antisemitic, Islamophobic incidents surge with war, advocates say As per the Human Rights Watch, most of these violent incidents occurred in the first months after September 11. FBI data shows a seventeen-fold increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes. What does this data tell us? Does the United States — the dream destination of many from developing nations — able to fully grasp the concept of tolerance?

Explained | Islamophobia, antisemitism, Xenophobia: The many faces of hate in the US

xenophobia-in-us

Xenophobia In Us, News on Xenophobia In Us, stories on Xenophobia In Us, articles on Xenophobia In Us, Xenophobia In Us stories at Wion, Xenophobia In Us news, Xenophobia In Us latest news

xenophobia in-us

Indian-origin CEO stopped by FBI, slams rising hostility towards immigrants in US

Explained | Islamophobia, antisemitism, Xenophobia: The many faces of hate in the US