A Florida city council member is facing a wave of public criticism and formal censure following a series of social media posts calling for the mass deportation of Indian immigrants.
Chandler Langevin, a Republican member of the Palm Bay City Council, said that Indians come to America to “drain our pockets” before returning to India, “or worse … to stay.”
Langevin made the comments on social media in late September. In several posts, Langevin called for the deportation of Indian nationals and criticized what he described as the growing influence of Indian immigrants in the United States.
Why It Matters
The statements drew widespread attention from community leaders and residents across the area and sparked backlash from GOP figures. The remarks come as the Trump administration pushes forward with its plans to deport millions of immigrants without legal status.
What To Know
At an October 16 meeting, the Palm Bay City Council voted 3—2 to censure Langevin, describing his conduct as inappropriate for an elected official. The motion limited his participation in certain council activities, removed him from city committees, and sought an independent attorney to review possible ethics violations.
“We’re all overwhelmed by everything. This nation was founded on immigrants … We are all part of the very fabric of the flag, our banner, the United States of America,” Rob Medina, the mayor of Palm Beach and a member of the council, said.
Langevin defended his comments as an attempt to provoke “discourse” about immigration.
“I’m not the first Republican to make a mean tweet,” Langevin told The Washington Post.
Beginning in mid-September, Langevin posted at least five comments on X that were widely criticized as derogatory toward Indians, including one in which he accused Indians of “destroying the South.” On September 26, he shared a post from the Department of Homeland Security about an Indian truck driver the agency said caused an accident that killed a woman, adding in his repost: “Deport every Indian immediately.”
Palm Bay officials formally requested that Governor Ron DeSantis consider removing Langevin from office, a step the council initiated in earlier meetings.
At recent council meetings, residents have expressed a range of views, some calling for Langevin’s resignation, others defending his right to express political opinions.
The controversy has prompted reactions from civic organizations and advocacy groups. Some, including Hindus for Human Rights and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, criticized the language used in the posts and urged state officials to take further action.
Others have argued that while the statements were offensive to many, the council’s response raises broader questions about when elected officials’ personal speech warrants official sanctions.
What People Are Saying
Brevard County Republican Party Chairman Rick Lacey said in a statement: “Even though Mr. Langevin is a registered Republican, his views are his, and his alone and in no way reflect the views of the Brevard Republican Party. We applaud the overwhelming majority vote of the Palm Bay City Council to request Governor DeSantis suspend Mr. Langevin from his office. … Hate like this has no place in our county.”
Florida’s Democratic Party chair, Nikki Fried, wrote in a statement: “Chandler Langevin’s comments towards the Indian American community are vile and reprehensible. The people of Palm Bay deserve better leadership than someone who so proudly displays his hateful ignorance through divisive and racist rhetoric.”
Langevin said in a post on X on October 2: “Today is my birthday and all I want is for @realDonaldTrump to revoke every Indian visa and deport them immediately. America for Americans”
Hindus for Human Rights wrote in a letter to DeSantis: “Such remarks are not merely ill-advised—they are overtly bigoted, dehumanizing, and dangerous. They violate the basic norms of respect, dignity, and pluralism that any public servant should uphold.”
What Happens Next
Governor Ron DeSantis’s office has not yet responded to the city council’s request for action regarding Langevin. It remains unclear whether the state will intervene or take any formal measures.