US President Donald Trump has released a list of 120 countries whose nationals receive aid or welfare support from the United States, with several of India’s neighbouring nations—including Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, and Nepal—featured on it. India’s absence from the list has drawn attention, underscoring that Indian nationals are not considered an economic burden on the US and instead play a significant role in supporting its economy.
Data indicates that Indians are among the highest-earning immigrant communities in the United States. In contrast, a substantial share of immigrant families from Pakistan and Bangladesh reportedly rely on US government assistance. According to the Pew Research Center, the Indian community is the second-largest Asian group in the US, with an average annual household income exceeding USD 151,000—well above the national average.
The exclusion of India from the welfare list reflects the relatively low dependence of Indian immigrants on government support. Indian nationals in the US largely sustain themselves through employment and contribute as regular taxpayers. Trump has repeatedly expressed opposition to government spending on immigrant welfare, and the data aligns with his stance on self-reliance among migrant communities.
According to figures cited in the list, 54.8 percent of immigrant families from Bangladesh depend on US welfare benefits, followed by Pakistan at 40.2 percent, Nepal at 34.8 percent, China at 32.9 percent, and Ukraine at 42.7 percent. Pew Research Center data further shows that Indians account for nearly 21 percent of the Asian population in the US and are widely represented in key professional roles, including medicine, engineering, and corporate leadership, reinforcing their status as contributors rather than beneficiaries of the US economy.