Row erupts over Nalin Haley saying he wants to ban H1B: 'Doesn't MAGA want this guy to be deported to India?'

Nalin Haley, the son of Indian-origin former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, stirred a row after calling for a complete end to H-1B visas, a programme that allows skilled foreign workers, mostly from India, to work in the United States.

In an interview with Fox News, the 24-year-old slammed the visa system, saying it disadvantages American graduates struggling to find employment. “We are seeing kids graduate with six figures in debt and not having a job to show for it,” he said. “My main friend group graduated with great degrees from great schools. It's been a year and a half since graduation. Not one of them has a job.”

Nalin went on to say that the influx of foreign workers had worsened the job crisis for young Americans. “When we look at all the other statistics, we see that 58% of recent college graduates are unemployed. Of those 42% that are employed, 50% of them have temporary jobs or jobs that don't require a degree,” he added.

Haley’s comments were met with harsh criticism, especially within the MAGA movement and the Indian-American community, given his and his mother’s background. When asked about his stance, he replied, “I mean, they shouldn't be [surprised] because I've seen how it's affected my friends and those around me. At the end of the day, my loyalty is to America.”

Looks like @Nalin_Haley gets H-1B better than a lot of Republican politicians!

No H-1B visas! pic.twitter.com/dPzw2zhSor

— Chief Trumpster (@ChiefTrumpster) November 11, 2025

Haley reaffirmed his hardline position on keeping foreigners out of US soil, “We need to get rid of the foreign worker visas. We need to ban H-1B visas. And we need to punish companies that are not putting American workers first.”

Social media responds:

• "He already dumped on his grandparents.. he has nothing much left to pander to… someone who doesn’t respect family, background and upbringing doesn’t go much far.. the racists will soon demand him to go back"
• "Don’t try to make this kid happen. He comes from a sick sick family."
• "I like a lot of what he says, but he needs to address the fact that his mom has stood against America first for her entire career. It can't be ignored."
• "No. He’s Nikki Haley’s son. We need to find a way to deport him to Israel."
• "Seems like someone trying launch a political career by placating to generations who’ve lost hope."