A row erupted after ex-DOGE lead Vivek Ramaswamy faced backlash over claims that his higher education reform plan could harm local universities and jobs, with MAGA critics alleging it could indirectly benefit India and H-1B visa holders.
The controversy began after a right-wing social media user accused Indian-American Ramaswamy of wanting to “close” key engineering and STEM institutions in Ohio, including the University of Akron, Kent State University and Central State University. The post claimed that such a move would “eliminate global Ohio engineering competition to benefit India and H1Bs” and noted that the three institutions collectively employ around 20,000 people.
