Publication

This brief talks about the implications of the 2013 US government shutdown for the South Asian diaspora in the country and for immigrants in general. It briefly describes the economic situation of the South Asian diaspora and acknowledges the growing anti-immigrant sentiment in many rich countries. The author specifically looks at the what he calls the American political right's obsession with what it sees as the cost of new immigrants on society. He argues that if those who oppose large-scale immigration were prepared to shut down their government, it is clear that the 'welcome' mat the United States had put out for foreigners is being removed. He concludes by looking at the possible impact of such a scenario on the Asian sub-continent’s economic, political and social development.