Backlash Against JD Vance's Family Highlights Rising Anti-Asian Sentiment

Usha Chilukuri Vance, the wife of Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance, and their children have faced significant backlash due to their Indian heritage. This wave of anti-Asian hate has been particularly pronounced among far-right figures online, targeting Chilukuri Vance, the daughter of Indian immigrants, and RNC speaker Harmeet Dhillon, who is also of Indian descent. Advocacy group Stop AAPI Hate condemned these attacks, noting that they contribute to a climate of fear and anxiety among Asian Americans and immigrants, especially as the presidential election approaches. The backlash coincides with former President Donald Trump's recent calls for national unity following an assassination attempt at a rally. Trump has characterized the influx of undocumented migrants as "the greatest invasion in history," claiming they are entering the U.S. from various regions, including Africa and Asia. However, recent data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) indicates a decline in encounters at the southern border, attributed to measures implemented by the Biden administration. JD Vance's previous criticisms of Trump’s rhetoric on race add complexity to the current situation. In a 2016 PBS interview, he acknowledged that some of Trump's support stemmed from racism or xenophobia. Despite this, Vance has shifted his stance, citing Trump's successes as reasons for his change of heart, and is now campaigning alongside him for the upcoming election. As the political landscape intensifies, the targeting of Vance's family underscores the broader issues of racial tension and the implications of political rhetoric in America today.