Indian-origin entrepreneur and Republican politician Vivek Ramaswamy recently celebrated his 10th wedding anniversary with his wife, Apoorva, by sharing a heartfelt post on social media. However, the anniversary tribute drew a wave of racist and xenophobic comments amid ongoing tensions surrounding the H-1B visa program in the United States.
In his post, Ramaswamy recounted the story of their first date in 2011. He shared two photos: one from their initial outing and another from their recent anniversary celebration. He described how he, then newly acquainted with Apoorva, a medical student, invited her on a weekend trip to hike Flattop Mountain in the Rockies. They almost reached the summit when a blizzard forced them to stop. Ramaswamy recalled Apoorva reassuring him with a promise of a lifetime of adventures to come. Fourteen years and two children later, they returned to the mountain to mark their anniversary.
"In the fall of 2011, I met a brilliant medical student named Apoorva and asked her out on a first date - to head west for a weekend & hike Flattop Mountain in the Rockies. She accepted. We got within striking distance of the summit when a blizzard hit. I was foolishly stubborn…"
Despite the post's intimate tone, it quickly attracted hostile responses from some users on X (formerly Twitter). Several commenters told the couple to "go back to India" and questioned their loyalty and identity with racially charged remarks. Some users suggested they should be deported, while others made disparaging comments about their appearance.
This incident highlights the broader context of heated debates surrounding the H-1B visa program, which allows highly skilled immigrants to work in the US. Though Ramaswamy has publicly criticized aspects of the visa system, critics point to perceived contradictions due to his Indian heritage and association with the technology sector.
The H-1B visa remains a contentious topic in American politics, with opinions divided on its impact on the domestic job market. While some hardline factions claim the visa program threatens American jobs and culture, former President Donald Trump and his officials have acknowledged the importance of attracting global talent to maintain US leadership in technology, research, and healthcare.
Ramaswamy’s anniversary post and the subsequent backlash underscore ongoing cultural and political tensions tied to immigration and identity in the United States.
