Anti-Asian online hate in extremist online spaces in the U.S. has surged since the 2024 elections, according to data from Stop AAPI Hate. The group reported an alarming increase in online anti-Asian slurs in January 2025, with nearly 88,000 slurs recorded, the highest number since monitoring began in 2022. The surge was predominantly driven by anti-South Asian slurs, which rose by 75% in January compared to November. Rhetoric included claims of Indians stealing jobs and threats against white livelihood. Threats of violence against Asians online also increased by over 50% in December and January compared to November.
The increase in online hate has been linked to perceived threats from China and intensified following a debate among MAGA loyalists over high-skill immigration. Some far-right individuals criticized Sriram Krishnan, appointed by Trump to an advisory role, for supporting green cards for skilled workers. This led to racist attacks and violent threats against Krishnan and other individuals of South Asian descent. Trump himself expressed support for H-1B visas, which are primarily used by Indians.
Stop AAPI Hate noted that online hate against Americans of Asian, especially South Asian, ancestry had been on the rise in 2023 and 2024, coinciding with the increased prominence of politicians from that community leading up to the November elections. The data highlights the concerning trend of anti-Asian sentiment in online spaces and the need for action to address and combat this issue.
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