'3rd world aliens': MAGA activist targets Hanuman statue in Texas, backlash erupts online

Hanuman statue in Texas becomes flashpoint after “Stop the invasion” post

• Carlos Turcios criticized a Hindu statue in Sugar Land, Texas.
• Temple officials say the statue symbolizes peace and devotion.
• Online backlash defends the monument as religious expression.

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A Texas-based conservative activist, Carlos Turcios, is facing online criticism after sharing a video from the Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land and portraying the large Hindu religious monument as evidence of immigration “taking over” the country.

Referring to the 90-foot statue of Lord Hanuman, he wrote on X, “This is not Islamabad, Pakistan, or New Delhi, India. This is Sugar Land, Texas. Third World Aliens are slowly taking over Texas and America. Why is the third-largest statue in the US this??! Stop the INVASION!"

🚨SUGAR LAND, TEXAS🚨This is not Islamabad, Pakistan, or New Delhi, India. This is Sugar Land, Texas. Third World Aliens are slowly taking over Texas and America. Why is the third-largest statue in the US this??! Stop the INVASION! Follow:@Carlos__Turciospic.twitter.com/hzNIunlyQ4

— Carlos Turcios (@Carlos__Turcios) February 16, 2026

The statue was unveiled in August 2024. The Panchaloha Abhaya Hanuman at the Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple is the tallest Hanuman statue in North America and among the tallest Hindu monuments in the United States. Envisioned by Sri Chinnajeeyar Swamiji, the structure is the third-tallest statue in the country, and temple officials describe it as a symbol of strength, devotion, and a "spiritual epicenter" for peace.

Temple community rejects “invasion” claim

Members associated with the temple pushed back against the remarks, saying the structure reflects the faith and cultural presence of Hindu Americans rather than political messaging.

They emphasised the complex was funded through private donations and remains open to visitors of all backgrounds. Supporters compared it to other religious landmarks across the US, including churches, crosses, and Buddhist temples, calling it an example of religious pluralism.

Temple officials described the statue as a symbol of strength and devotion and a “spiritual epicenter” promoting peace.

Online backlash and debate

Turcios’s post quickly triggered criticism, particularly from Indian-American users who argued the monument represents constitutionally protected religious expression.

One user responded, “It’s on private property, built by Hindus on land they own and with their own money. You lost the culture war years ago, and you’re about to lose the midterms too. Your ‘America First’ grift is exposed as racist nostalgia.”

Another commenter cited assimilation data:

“There are 41 million households that speak Spanish in the US. Yet there are no Indian languages in the top 10. Since household language is the strongest indicator of assimilation, you have a long way to go before your group is anywhere near the assimilation level of Indian-Americans.”

Pattern of posts on immigrants and visas

This is not the first time Turcios has targeted immigrant communities online. He has previously criticised Indian tech workers on H-1B visas and warned of Islamic influence in Texas, repeatedly using the phrase “stop the invasion.”

In an earlier message, he wrote, “Frisco Residents are tired of the city government importing H-1 B workers from India when Americans can’t even afford homes or get jobs. Here, a resident calls out the fraud and abuse committed by Third-World-Aliens.”

In another post:

According to his public profile, Turcios is a young Latino conservative activist and political organiser from Tarrant County, Texas. He first gained attention for campaigning against Critical Race Theory in local schools and later worked as an investigative reporter for The Dallas Express.

He has organised rallies, spoken at government meetings, served in a Latino conservative organisation, and currently holds roles within local Republican Party structures. He is also a member of the Texas State Guard.