Who is Laura Loomer? The MAGA influencer visiting India who once attacked Indians over H-1B visas

Far-right activist Laura Loomer -- File Photo (AFP)

Far-right US activist Laura Loomer, known for controversial anti-Indian and anti-immigration remarks, announced a visit to India for the India Today Conclave 2026, sparking renewed criticism and debate over her past statements targeting Indians and Indian Americans.

Did our AI summary help?

American far-right political activist Laura Loomer has once again drawn attention in India after announcing that she will visit the country, a move that has revived debate over her past comments about Indians and Indian-origin figures.

Loomer, a prominent figure in the Make America Great Again movement, said in a recent post on X that she would be travelling to India to speak at an event. “See you soon, India! Looking forward to speaking at the India Today Conclave 2026 conference this week!” she wrote.

However, her announcement has been met with criticism because of several controversial remarks she has made in the past that many have described as racist or anti-Indian.

A far-right activist with a controversial record

Laura Loomer, born in Arizona in 1993, is a political activist and internet personality known for her strong support for former US President Donald Trump and her far-right views. She first gained prominence through activism and commentary linked to conservative outlets and organisations such as Project Veritas and InfoWars.

Over the years, Loomer has built a reputation for provocative statements on immigration, race and religion. She has described herself as a “proud Islamophobe” and has repeatedly made controversial comments about minority communities.

Her posts and activism have also led to bans from several social media platforms in the past for spreading misinformation and extremist content, although some accounts were later reinstated.

Remarks that triggered backlash in India

Loomer has repeatedly targeted immigration programmes that benefit Indian professionals in the United States, particularly the H-1B visa system used by many skilled workers in the tech industry.

During an online argument about immigration, she wrote that the United States was built by “white Europeans” and not by "third world invaders from India," a comment that sparked outrage on social media and was widely criticised as racist.

In another post, she attacked the visa programme and accused tech companies of using it to bring in “unlimited slave laborers from India and China who never assimilated."

Her rhetoric has also targeted prominent Indian-origin figures in American politics and technology. Loomer was previously criticised for posts mocking Indian heritage and using cultural stereotypes when referring to former US vice president Kamala Harris.

Some commentators say such remarks reflect a broader strain of nativist politics within sections of the American far right. Critics argue that the backlash against skilled immigration has increasingly focused on Indian professionals working in the United States.

Political ambitions and continued influence

Despite repeated controversies, Loomer remains a prominent figure among some conservative online audiences. She has twice run for Congress in Florida as a Republican but failed to win either race.

Through her social media presence and podcast, she continues to influence debates on immigration, nationalism and US domestic politics.

Her upcoming visit to India has therefore drawn attention not just because of her political affiliations but also because of the long list of controversial remarks that critics say have often targeted Indians and Indian Americans.