Delivering a stunning blow to his mother’s pro-immigrant political legacy, Nikki Haley’s son has publicly called for ending all legal immigration to America and targeting Muslim immigrants for denaturalization.
Son Breaks From Mother’s Immigration Legacy
Nalin Haley, the 24-year-old son of Nikki Haley, has ignited a firestorm with his radical call to end all legal immigration to the United States. In viral interviews and social media posts in late 2025, the younger Haley specifically targeted H-1B visas, which are predominantly used by skilled Indian professionals.
His stance represents a complete departure from his mother’s consistent advocacy for legal, merit-based immigration throughout her political career.
The controversy deepened when Nalin directly attacked British-American Muslim journalist Mehdi Hasan, suggesting that naturalized Americans who criticize the country should be stripped of citizenship and expelled. This inflammatory rhetoric has shocked many observers, given that Nikki Haley herself is the daughter of Sikh immigrants from Punjab, India, who built her career on the immigrant success story in American politics.
Economic Arguments Drive Anti-Immigration Stance
Nalin Haley justified his position by citing job scarcity for young Americans, claiming his friends cannot find employment due to foreign competition. He emphasized ending all foreign aid and prioritizing the needs of American citizens over global humanitarian concerns.
The younger Haley’s conversion to Catholicism and alignment with the MAGA wing of the Republican Party appear to have shaped his increasingly nativist worldview, which contrasts sharply with his upbringing in a politically active immigrant household.
During his UnHerd interview, Nalin made clear he was not being sarcastic about denaturalizing American critics, stating his belief that those who “hate America” should leave.
This hardline position goes beyond mainstream GOP immigration policy, advocating for a complete moratorium on legal pathways that have historically been supported by business-friendly Republicans. His rhetoric specifically endangers Indian-American professionals and students who rely on H-1B visas for career opportunities.
Political Ramifications Forthe Republican Future
The controversy exposes growing tensions within the Republican Party over immigration policy and minority voter outreach. Nalin’s extreme position threatens to alienate Indian-American and other immigrant communities that have increasingly supported GOP candidates in recent elections. Political analysts note the irony of anti-immigrant rhetoric coming from the child of one of the party’s most prominent immigrant success stories, potentially undermining decades of Republican efforts to broaden their coalition.
Nikki Haley has remained notably silent about her son’s inflammatory statements, creating speculation about family dynamics and her own political future.
Sources:
‘My friends aren’t getting jobs’: Nikki Haley’s son calls for ending legal immigration to US
‘If You Hate America, Get Out’: Nikki Haley’s Son Wants To Stop Legal Immigration
Why Nikki Haley’s son went radical
Nikki Haley’s son says legal immigration should also be stopped, his friends have no jobs