American dream fading? Indian Americans rethink US future over visas, politics, safety: Survey

The Carnegie Endowment in partnership with YouGov, performed a survey that revealed increased fear among one of the largest immigrant populations in the United States.

Nearly 40% of Indian Americans had considered emigrating at some point, according to the survey of 1,000 participants. This suggests that the appeal of the American dream is weakening for a significant section of the diaspora.

Also Read | Burn injuries, surgeries, prosthetic leg—what’s really happening with Mojtaba Khamenei?

Politics was the clearest trigger. The survey said 58% of those thinking about leaving cited frustration with US politics as the main reason, while 54% pointed to the cost of living and 41% to personal safety. 14% said they had thought about leaving frequently, while 26% said they had considered it occasionally.

America just for Americans?

The findings also reflect wider dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s second term. The Federal reported that about 71% of respondents said they did not like how he handled the economy, immigration, and international relations. It also said analysts saw the rhetoric around “America for Americans” as one factor making immigrant communities feel less included.

The trend comes against the backdrop of a large Indian-origin population in the US that stands at more than 5.2 million. Other reports by local outlets linked the mood to visa uncertainty, including pressure on H-1B and student visas, though the core survey findings centered on politics, living costs, and safety.

Immigration hurdles fuel frustration

Also Read | Scientists linked to top US labs dying or vanishing: What’s going on?

The US immigration system has grown to be one of the most persistent sources of frustration for Indian Americans. The long waits for visas, backlogs of green cards, and policy uncertainty afflict many people in the diaspora, especially skilled professionals on temporary work visas. The perception that permanent residency is still a far-off and uncertain goal has only been strengthened by the most recent visa announcements.

That lack of stability, after years and in some cases decades of living and working in the US, is shaping a deeper sense of discontent within the community. The Federal said the immigration system is now seen as a structural challenge. This uncertainty has become a major reason many are reassessing their future in the country.