FIIDS says 150-plus delegates met 100-plus congressional offices on Capitol Hill

The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies held its 4th Annual Indian American Capitol Hill Day on June 30 in Washington, bringing more than 150 delegates from 25 states to Congress. The meetings focused on U.S.-India ties, Indo-Pacific security, immigration, and Indian American contributions as FIIDS pushed five priority policy goals.

Why it matters: - FIIDS said the event was one of the largest coordinated Indian American advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. - The meetings centered on policies that affect U.S. competitiveness, security, immigration, and the U.S.–India relationship. - The delegation included 35 youth and more than 40 women leaders, underscoring a broader civic push across generations.

What happened: - FIIDS concluded its 4th Annual Indian American Capitol Hill Day in Washington on June 30, 2026. - More than 150 delegates from 25 states met with over 100 Congressional offices and 16 U.S. Senate offices. - Delegates split into 25 groups of 5 to 8 constituents for 30-minute meetings with lawmakers and senior staff. - FIIDS said the sessions focused on policy recommendations, community concerns, and legislative priorities.

The details: - FIIDS' policy team reviewed nearly 300 bills from the 118th and 119th Congresses. - The team identified 38 bills across eight policy areas before narrowing the agenda to five top priorities. - The five priorities were strengthening the U.S.–India strategic partnership, Indo-Pacific security and supply chain resilience, recognizing Indian American contributions while addressing hate and bias, critical minerals and trusted supply chains, and legal immigration reform for American competitiveness. - Delegates urged Congress to strengthen the Quad, expand maritime and space cooperation, protect subsea communication cables, and support the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor as an alternative to the Suez Canal. - FIIDS also pressed for trusted critical mineral partnerships, including codifying initiatives such as Prax Silica, to reduce dependence on China. - Members of Congress from both parties described the U.S.–India relationship as one of the world's most consequential strategic partnerships. - Congressman Darin LaHood said stronger U.S.–India cooperation and deeper engagement with Indo-Pacific partners are essential to long-term U.S. security and economic competitiveness. - Congressman Jimmy Panetta and other lawmakers praised Indian American contributions. - FIIDS said Indian Americans are about 1% of the U.S. population but account for one in five U.S. patents, one in four startups, nearly 10% of physicians, 60% of hotel ownership, 4% to 5% of federal income taxes, and 10 million to 11 million American jobs. - Delegates said modernizing legal immigration is critical to innovation leadership. - FIIDS raised concerns about decades-long employment-based green card backlogs tied to the 7% per-country cap, H-1B visa appointment delays, and children aging out while waiting for permanent residency. - Congresswoman Deborah Ross emphasized the importance of legal immigrants and their children to America's future. - Arizona youth delegate Kopal Sharma said, "America's CHILDREN Act wasn't just policy—it is my story too. Behind every policy are real people, families, and futures." - FIIDS regional director Bhavini Patel said delegates also raised concerns about misinformation, bias, and support for religious freedom.

Between the lines: - The event was built as a sustained lobbying effort, not a one-day visit. - FIIDS said months of briefings and training prepared delegates to deliver concise, evidence-based recommendations. - The group framed the effort as evidence of growing civic maturity and more sophisticated political engagement among Indian Americans. - The focus on youth, women leaders, and constituents from multiple states suggests FIIDS wanted to show broad geographic and demographic reach. - The strong emphasis on U.S.-India strategy and immigration reflects a two-track agenda: foreign policy alignment and domestic workforce policy.

What's next: - FIIDS said it will continue bipartisan engagement with lawmakers to pursue its policy agenda. - The organization plans to keep pressing Congress on U.S.-India ties, immigration reform, Indo-Pacific security, and trusted supply chains. - FIIDS also indicated it will continue organizing advocates and training participants for future Hill visits.

The bottom line: - FIIDS turned Capitol Hill Day into a coordinated lobbying drive aimed at translating Indian American civic participation into specific policy outcomes.