- By Supratik Das
- Sun, 16 Nov 2025 10:00 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Indian-Malaysian–origin entrepreneur and Mindvalley CEO Vishen Lakhiani has alleged he was subjected to an unexpected round of FBI questioning moments after landing in Miami, despite being a valid O-1 visa holder and the head of a US-based company. The incident, he said, has reinforced his concerns about what he described as a growing wave of xenophobia and fear-driven politics in the United States.
Lakhiani, who has lived in the US for 22 years and pays American taxes, said two FBI officials stopped him shortly after he stepped off the plane. They questioned him about his recent travel to Istanbul, Dubai and Brazil, and requested all his social media handles along with his WhatsApp number.
He noted in a video shared on Instagram that the officers were “super nice” and “simply doing their jobs,” but admitted the encounter left him shaken. “I dread visiting America now,” he said, adding that the country he long admired feels more “closed and narrow-minded” than it once did.
Criticises Political Climate, Says Immigrants Being Scapegoated
In his detailed post, the Mindvalley founder criticised what he called a rising culture of fearmongering in US politics. He argued that immigrants are increasingly targeted in campaign narratives rather than seen as contributors to the economy. “For the record, I’m the CEO of an American company with 230 employees globally, and I’ve paid taxes for two decades,” he wrote. “Yet I was stopped despite holding an O-1 visa — a visa for people of extraordinary ability.” He added that he “can’t wait for the next election,” hoping it will bring some “sanity” back into the national conversation.
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Lakhiani’s video, which has crossed more than a million views, has triggered a widespread discussion online. Many shared their own experiences of heightened scrutiny and racial profiling at American airports. “Yes! I also had a talent visa and left. I couldn’t handle the anxiety anymore,” one commenter wrote. Another said they had stopped travelling to the US altogether because “racial profiling is real.” Still, others defended American officers, saying security protocols are applied broadly and not targeted at specific communities.
Lakhiani is the founder and CEO of Mindvalley, a global personal-development and learning platform. He is also the author of The Code of the Extraordinary Mind and The Buddha and the Badass. Known for his advocacy on education, workplace culture and wellbeing, he often speaks about the impact of political and social environments on global talent.
The episode has added to ongoing debates around US immigration policy, airport screening processes, and the effect of political rhetoric on foreign workers and long-term residents. Critics argue that visa holders who contribute significantly to the American economy should not feel unwelcome when entering the country.