Two recent incidents involving Indian nationals in the United States have cast a spotlight on the complex intersection of immigration, law enforcement, and international relations. In one case, the U.S. government has taken the unusual step of revoking and denying visas for Indian business executives and their families over alleged links to fentanyl precursor trafficking. In another, the fatal police shooting of an Indian tech worker in California has triggered allegations of racial bias and demands for a thorough investigation.
On September 18, 2025, the United States announced it had revoked and denied visas for a number of Indian business executives and their close relatives. According to the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, this action was prompted by suspicions of involvement in trafficking chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl, a synthetic opioid at the heart of America’s ongoing drug crisis. The Embassy’s statement, released just hours after President Donald Trump’s stern warning to countries associated with rampant narcotics production, made clear that this was not business as usual.
"This action, taken under the US Immigration and Nationality Act, is part of Washington’s broader crackdown on the global flow of synthetic narcotics," the Embassy said, as reported by multiple outlets. Executives linked to companies suspected of trafficking fentanyl precursors will now face heightened scrutiny in future U.S. visa applications, and their close family members are also ineligible for entry. The move marks a significant escalation in efforts to stem the tide of fentanyl entering the United States, where the opioid epidemic has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in recent years.
U.S. Chargé d’affaires Jorgan Andrews did not mince words about the seriousness of the crackdown. "Individuals and organizations facilitating the illegal drug trade will face serious consequences," he emphasized. The Embassy also expressed gratitude to Indian authorities for their cooperation in combating the fentanyl crisis, suggesting that the two countries are working closely—at least officially—on this critical global issue.
While the visa revocations may be seen as a diplomatic slap on the wrist, they are also a clear signal that Washington expects more aggressive action from its partners. The United States has long regarded India as a key player in the global pharmaceutical supply chain, and any suggestion that Indian companies might be complicit in the fentanyl trade is bound to strain relations. Still, the Embassy’s public thanks to India for its cooperation hint at an ongoing dialogue, rather than a full-blown diplomatic rift.
Meanwhile, another story with Indian connections has gripped both American and Indian communities—this one, far more tragic and fraught with questions of race and justice. On September 3, 2025, in Santa Clara, California, police responded to a 911 call about a violent altercation inside a residence. According to the Santa Clara Police Department, officers arrived to find 30-year-old Mohammed Nizamuddin, an Indian tech worker, allegedly pinning down his roommate with a knife. The police say they were forced to shoot Nizamuddin, who was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. His roommate, who sustained multiple injuries, was also hospitalized.
The official statement from the Santa Clara Police Department, released in a video briefing, was matter-of-fact: "SCPD officers arrived, encountered the suspect, and were involved in an Officer-Involved Shooting. The suspect was transported to a local hospital, where they were later pronounced dead. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is being treated for his injuries." The department added that the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and the police were conducting a joint, active investigation, promising further updates as more information became available.
But the story does not end there. Nizamuddin’s family, speaking from India, has alleged that racial discrimination played a role in the fatal encounter. According to NDTV, the family claims that it was Nizamuddin himself who called the police for help before being shot. They have painted a picture of a quiet, religious man who had, in recent months, publicly complained of racial harassment, wage fraud, and wrongful termination at his workplace. In a LinkedIn post cited by the family, Nizamuddin wrote, "I have been a victim of racial hatred, racial discrimination, racial harassment, torture, wage-fraud, wrongful termination and obstruction of Justice," adding, "Enough is enough, white supremacy/racist white American mentality has to end."
The family’s allegations go further, mentioning claims of food poisoning, eviction, and what Nizamuddin described as ongoing surveillance and intimidation by a purported detective. With these concerns in mind, the family has called for a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding his death. They have also reached out to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), seeking help to repatriate his mortal remains.
Amjed Ullah Khan, spokesperson for the Majlis Bachao Tehreek, met with Nizamuddin’s father and subsequently wrote to India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Khan urged the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, and the Consulate General in San Francisco to provide a detailed report on the case and assist with repatriation and related formalities. The family’s pain and anger are palpable, and their demand for answers has resonated with many in the Indian diaspora.
Adding to the sense of unease, another incident involving an Indian national in the United States has drawn official attention. Following the killing of Chandra Nagamallaiah in Dallas, Texas, President Trump posted his condolences on Truth Social. He wrote, "I am aware of the terrible reports regarding the murder of Chandra Nagamallaiah, a well-respected person in Dallas, Texas, who was brutally beheaded, in front of his wife and son, by an ‘illegal alien’ from Cuba who should have never been in our country." Trump’s message was unequivocal: his administration would continue its crackdown on illegal immigrants, declaring, "the time for being soft on these illegal immigrant criminals' was over under his watch."
These incidents, though distinct, have become entangled in the broader narrative of U.S. immigration policy, law enforcement, and the treatment of minorities. For some, the swift action against Indian business executives is a necessary step in the fight against the deadly fentanyl crisis. For others, the fatal shooting of Nizamuddin and the murder of Nagamallaiah have raised uncomfortable questions about racial bias, police conduct, and the safety of immigrants in America.
As investigations continue and diplomatic channels hum with activity, the fates of those involved—and the larger questions their stories raise—remain unresolved. For now, both governments and communities on both sides of the Pacific are watching closely, hoping for answers and, perhaps, a measure of justice.