India was initially subjected to a 25 per cent slab, which was subsequently raised to 50 per cent. By then, India had already negotiated a free trade agreement with the US, the culmination of which would have addressed the tariff issue. Their dilemma was understandable as the growing MAGA movement was demanding greater loyalty from American citizens, and immigrant communities were under greater scrutiny. Some very fundamental changes are taking place in American society and domestic politics that are causing serious concern among Indian immigrants. Although Kirk’s alleged murderer, Tyler James Robinson, was not an immigrant, the MAGA movement soon became a hotspot for “anti-immigrantism”.

Source: Indian Express January 17, 2026 08:43 UTC