Indian-American Rivals Spar Over ICE, Green Cards in CA-17 Debate
A pointed online debate between two Indian-American candidates in California's 17th Congressional District highlighted deep divisions over immigration and economic policy. Democrat Ro Khanna and Republican Ritesh Tandon used the forum to lay out sharply contrasting visions for the district and the country.
The session ran for roughly 50 minutes on Wednesday evening, US time, and was livestreamed on Tandon's campaign YouTube channel. Khanna participated in the entire discussion, responded to questions and delivered a closing address.
Khanna opened by commending Tandon's respectful approach over the last few years. He noted that democracy depends on the ability to discuss ideas with those whose views differ.
On immigration, Khanna made his most forceful statement of the evening: “I will abolish ICE.” He criticised the agency as unchecked and suggested that it be replaced by a body resembling the former Immigration and Naturalization Service. That agency, he said, should sit under the Justice Department, operate with compassion and prioritise action against sex traffickers and violent offenders. He further urged policies that would make it easier for students, founders and entrepreneurs to obtain green cards.
Tandon responded by describing his own journey from India to the United States. He said he arrived at 28, followed every regulation and accepted the wait. He pointed out that over 1.2 million applicants are stuck in the green card queue. He also questioned his opponent's record, asserting that Khanna had been in Congress for roughly a decade while the backlog kept growing.
Tandon's agenda calls for ending the per-country ceiling on green cards, reissuing unused visas, curbing H-1B visa misuse, requiring voter identification and treating illegal border crossings as a grave crime.
The per-country limit has been a persistent complaint among Indian professionals, who face the longest waits for employment-based green cards.
Economic questions produced equally sharp exchanges. Khanna defended a five percent tax on the wealth of billionaires and asked why the economy seemed to work only for a handful of the ultra-rich. He said America needs a new social compact that favours workers and the middle class.
Tandon opposed the idea, arguing that it levies tax on the recorded value of property rather than on income. He also asserted that companies and people are moving out of California.
Khanna countered that the artificial intelligence revolution is not unfolding in Austin or Miami but in Silicon Valley.
Tandon further accused Khanna of moving the Democratic Party toward the left, cautioning that democratic socialist movements risk leading the United States down a path resembling Venezuela. He cited Khanna's backing of a democratic socialist candidate in New York City's mayoral race.