WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — A new national survey finds Indian Americans are navigating a period of political strain, rising discrimination concerns, and shifting party loyalties one year into President Donald Trump’s second term.
The 2026 Indian American Attitudes Survey offers one of the most detailed looks at the political views of the more than 5.2 million people of Indian origin living in the United States. Researchers conducted the survey with 1,000 Indian American adults between November 2025 and January 2026 in partnership with YouGov. The report was authored by Milan Vaishnav, Sumitra Badrinathan, Devesh Kapur, and Andy Robaina. It builds on earlier surveys from 2020 and 2024 and tracks trends in Indian American politics, voting behavior and experiences with discrimination.
The survey shows strong disapproval of Trump’s job performance among Indian Americans. Seventy-one percent say they disapprove of how Trump is handling his second term. More than half say they strongly disapprove.
Respondents also express deep concern about Trump’s immigration policy, domestic economic policy and international trade actions. Large majorities oppose moves such as ending birthright citizenship, increasing enforcement raids, and imposing steep fees on H-1B skilled worker visas. Indian nationals make up the largest share of H-1B recipients, making the issue especially sensitive within the community.
Views on U.S.-India relations have also cooled. Only one in five respondents approves of Trump’s handling of ties between Washington and New Delhi. Still, about one-quarter say they have no opinion, suggesting foreign policy ranks lower than economic issues for many voters.
Indian Americans remain one of the most Democratic-leaning groups in the country. Yet the survey finds signs of change. The share of respondents identifying as Democrats has dropped from 52 percent in 2020 to 46 percent in 2026. Republican identification has risen modestly, while the number of independents has grown. Many respondents now describe themselves as politically moderate.
In a hypothetical rerun of the 2024 presidential election, 57 percent say they would support the Democratic ticket, down from 62 percent in 2024 and 68 percent in 2020. Support for Trump stands at 25 percent. That is lower than in 2024 but higher than in 2020. Support for third-party candidates has increased. The data suggests frustration with both major parties. Many respondents who do not identify as Republicans say the GOP is intolerant of minorities or too influenced by Christian evangelicalism. Those who avoid the Democratic label often say the party leans too far left or focuses too much on identity politics.
Pocketbook issues dominate Indian American political attitudes. Inflation and rising prices rank as the top concern. Jobs and the broader economy follow closely behind. Health care and immigration also matter, but fewer respondents cite foreign policy or U.S.-India relations as their top issue. This pattern mirrors trends in the wider American electorate, where economic concerns often outweigh global affairs.
The survey highlights widespread concerns about discrimination and racism against Indian Americans. About half of the respondents say they have personally experienced discrimination in the past year. Many cite skin color, country of origin, or religion as the reason. One in four reports being called a slur since early 2025. Smaller numbers report physical threats or property damage.
Nearly half say they frequently see racist content targeting Indians or Indian Americans on social media. Many report feeling angry, anxious or fearful when they encounter such posts. These concerns shape behavior. Some respondents say they avoid discussing politics online, wearing traditional Indian clothing in public or traveling abroad due to fear of harassment. Still, most do not plan to leave the United States permanently.
When asked whether they would advise a student or professional from India to move to the United States, many still recommend coming for work opportunities. Fewer recommend the United States over the United Kingdom for higher education, but support remains strong in professional contexts.
The survey also explores reactions to prominent political figures. Many respondents express enthusiasm for the election of Zohran Mamdani in New York City. Support appears driven more by ideology than by shared ethnic or religious identity. At the same time, comments by JD Vance about religion and interfaith marriage sparked unease. Large majorities say political leaders should be careful when discussing a spouse’s religious beliefs. Many also reject the idea that one spouse should expect the other to convert.
The findings paint a complex picture of Indian American politics in 2026.
