NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Athens, GA, April 15, 2026: Vice President JD Vance struck a personal note during an appearance at the University of Georgia on Tuesday, praising his Indian-origin in-laws even as he waded into a wide-ranging discussion on immigration, foreign policy, and the concerns of young Americans.
Speaking at an event hosted by Turning Point USA, Vance referenced his family while making a broader point about immigration in the United States.
“I love my in-laws,” Vance said, adding that they are “great contributors to the United States.” The remarks drew attention given Vance’s prominent role in shaping the Trump administration’s immigration messaging.
The exchange came in response to a question from an Indian-origin student who raised concerns about long waits for green cards under the H-1B system.
In his reply, Vance acknowledged both what he described as fraud in the visa program and the contributions of immigrants, while outlining his expectations of citizenship.
“You heard me talk about H1B fraud, because I think there is a lot of fraud in the H1B system,” Vance said. “And I think you can believe, on the one hand, that there’s a lot of fraud in the H1B system, while also believing that there are people who have come to the United States in the past who have enriched this country.”
He then pointed to his own family, adding, “I’m married to the daughter of immigrants from India, and, you know, I love my in-laws, and they’re great people, and they’ve been great contributors to the United States of America.”
Vance went on to emphasize what he described as a core responsibility of citizenship.
“One of the obligations of citizens is that you have to think about the best interests of the country, and not the country you came from beforehand… you’ve got to think of yourself as an American,” he said, adding that the expectation applies regardless of how long a family has been in the United States.
The interaction struck a chord with many in Georgia’s Indian American community, where long green card backlogs—especially for skilled workers from India—remain a pressing concern.
The Athens visit was part of a campus outreach effort aimed at engaging younger voters, a group where support for President Donald Trump has shown signs of softening. Vance spent much of the event fielding questions on economic pressures facing students.
“You guys have every right to demand more of your elected leadership,” he said, acknowledging concerns about housing costs and affordability.
The hour-long session included moments of tension, including a brief exchange with a heckler shouting about the war in Gaza before being removed. Vance later referred to the interruption as coming from a “random dude screaming.”
On foreign policy, Vance addressed the ongoing Iran conflict and commented on remarks by Pope Leo XIV.
“I have a lot of respect for the pope. I like him. I admire him,” Vance said. “It doesn’t bother me when he speaks on issues of the day, frankly, even when I disagree with how he’s applying particular principles.”
He added that discussions on war and peace are valuable even when there is disagreement.
Vance also touched on the Jeffrey Epstein case, saying any concerning communications tied to associates should be fully investigated. “We should absolutely investigate that person,” he said.
The event was part of Turning Point USA’s continued campus programming following the death of its founder Charlie Kirk. Vance had been scheduled to appear alongside Erika Kirk, who did not attend due to reported security concerns.
Despite the wide-ranging discussion, it was Vance’s remarks about his Indian-origin in-laws—framed within a broader message on immigration and citizenship—that stood out, highlighting how national policy debates intersect with the lived experiences of immigrant families across Georgia.
Student: My family is from India. They came here on H-1B visas and still haven’t got Green Cards. Can’t we fix this?
— Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) April 15, 2026
VP Vance: I’m married to the daughter of immigrants from India. But when you become a US citizen, you have to think about this country & not the one you came from pic.twitter.com/hcumjb3CDJ
