Trump Sparks Row by Amplifying Post Calling India ‘Hellhole’ in Birthright Citizenship Debate

Moneylife Digital Team 23 April 2026

Economy & Nation

Updated at 10.12am on 24 April 2026 to include comment from MEA...

US President Donald Trump has triggered controversy after amplifying remarks on social media that referred to India and other countries in derogatory terms while criticising the US’ birthright citizenship policy.

In a post shared on Truth Social, Mr Trump reposted a transcript of a commentary by conservative radio host Michael Savage, which described countries such as India and China as “hellholes” and alleged that immigrants from these nations exploit US citizenship laws.

The remarks were made in the context of an ongoing debate over birthright citizenship, a constitutional provision that grants automatic citizenship to most individuals born on US soil, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

Sharp Remarks on India

The reposted commentary claimed that individuals from India and China travel to the US late in pregnancy to give birth, thereby securing citizenship for their children and later facilitating the migration of family members.

“A baby here becomes an instant citizen, and then they bring the entire family in from China or India or some other hellhole on the planet,” the post says.

It further alleged that the issue was contributing to demographic changes in the US and claimed that “it’s not limited to China, it’s also India,” accusing Indian immigrants of 'abusing' the system.

The remarks also extended to the US technology sector, where the post suggested that Indian and Chinese professionals dominate hiring in states such as California, claiming that opportunities for other groups were being reduced.

Debate over Birthright Citizenship

The comments come amid renewed legal and political debate in the US over birthright citizenship, which is rooted in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.

Mr Trump, who has repeatedly criticised the policy, has argued that the issue should not be left to courts or legal experts but instead be decided through a public vote.

In his post, he suggested that lawyers and institutions were shaping immigration outcomes without reflecting public opinion, and pointed to an informal online poll indicating majority support for revisiting the policy.

Earlier, Mr Trump had also questioned the principle itself, claiming that the US is among the few countries offering such citizenship, although several nations — particularly in the Americas — follow similar practices.

Attack on Legal Institutions

The reposted commentary included strong criticism of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), accusing it of supporting policies that allegedly favour undocumented immigrants over US citizens.

It also criticised arguments presented before the Supreme Court of the US, where the legality of executive actions on birthright citizenship is currently under examination.

The commentary argued that the issue should be viewed as a matter of public policy rather than legal interpretation, calling for a national referendum.

Wider Implications

Mr Trump’s decision to share the remarks is likely to draw criticism, particularly from Indian-American communities and immigration advocacy groups, given the language used and the sweeping generalisations about Indian immigrants.

Indian-origin professionals are a significant part of the US workforce, especially in the technology sector, and are among the largest recipients of skilled-worker visas, such as the H-1B.

The episode also comes at a time when immigration remains a key political issue in the US, with ongoing legal challenges and policy debates shaping the discourse ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.

While the White House has not issued a formal clarification on the post, Mr Trump’s amplification of the remarks signals a continuation of his hardline stance on immigration and citizenship policies, with India explicitly mentioned in the broader critique.

UPDATE
In response to further questions on the social media post by the US president, a spokesperson of Indian ministry of exeternal affairs (MEA) says the remarks are uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste. In a post on X, he says, "We have seen the comments, as also the subsequent statement issued by the US Embassy in response. The remarks are obviously uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste. They certainly do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship, which has long been based on mutual respect and shared interests."

Our response to media queries regarding a social media post ??

?? https://t.co/m9qhUcH9XP pic.twitter.com/bJJHid8g3i
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) April 23, 2026

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