There may well be an Indian-American president before there is an American Indian one
Ram Villivalam, a state senator in Illinois, says having a half-Indian senator running to be president gives a jolt of confidence to Indian-Americans. Ms Jayapal concurs. Indian-Americans number 4m, about 1% of the total population, counting both migrants and their children. Most have arrived in America over the past two decades. Many are highly educated, wealthy and in professions such as engineering or medicine.
Could Indian-Americans really grow into a significant political force? Their numbers look too puny to matter as a national voting bloc. Devesh Kapur, at Johns Hopkins University, estimates that only 1m voters of Indian descent are politically active. That number could double within two decades through immigration, more naturalisations and as children age. But even then few will be swing-voters in close-fought states, unlike, say, Cuban-Americans in Florida.
He notes that Capitol Hill, for example, is crammed with staff and interns of Indian-American heritage. They also appear to be “over-represented” in academia, the media and other influential posts. He talks of the growing significance of informal networks, as well-connected Indian-Americans find jobs for each other’s offspring. Ms Jayapal also points to the prevalence of skilled Indian-Americans who work as assistants to senators and representatives in Washington.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
17 Slow-Cooker Indian Recipes That Are Easier Than TakeoutYou might not know it, but your slow cooker makes a mean chicken tikka masala.
Read more »
Rescuers evacuate all 700 passengers from flooded India trainIndian navy helicopters and emergency service boats rescue all 700 passengers stranded on a train in floods near western Mumbai city
Read more »
17 Slow-Cooker Indian Recipes That Are Easier Than TakeoutYou might not know it, but your slow cooker makes a mean chicken tikka masala.
Read more »
Joe Biden represents status quo that Americans want to break out of: Bill de BlasioDemocratic presidential candidate and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that former Vice President Joe Biden represents the status quo and that Americans 'want to break out of that status quo,' in what could be a preview of de Blasio's strategy at this week's upcoming presidential
Read more »