By Okon Ekpenyong

Vivek Ramaswamy, an Indian American who grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of 13 Republican Candidates running in the 2024 Presidential race.

There are other descendants of immigrants who are also running in the race, such as Nikki Haley, a former governor of South Carolina who is of Indian American descent, and Francis Saurez, the current mayor of Miami who is of Cuban American descent. They are both vying for the Republican nomination to win back the White House.

Immigrants have played a vital role in the success of the United States. They have provided the country with a vibrant culture, a strong work ethic, and a unique perspective. Additionally, many of the most successful innovators, entrepreneurs, and political figures have been of immigrant descent. The United States has benefited immensely from the contributions of immigrants, and it will continue to do so in the future.

These candidates are the perfect example of the American Dream and how the country’s immigration system has allowed them to pursue their ambitions and thrive in politics. Their success stories offer hope and inspiration to future generations of immigrants in the US.

Also, these three political figures represent the increasing diversity of the Republican Party. They are evidence of the power of immigrants to create success in America and the potential for a more inclusive and diverse US political landscape.

Immigrants often see the Republican Party aligned with their principles, including smaller government, fiscal responsibility, and robust national defense. Additionally, the Republican Party pledges to decrease business taxes and cut regulations, which can appeal to immigrants seeking to establish a better life in the United States.

Whether by choice or by inheritance, Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, and Francis Saurez are all Republicans, and the Republican Party has welcomed them warmly. But a vast majority of immigrants support the Democratic Party because of the party’s stance on issues such as immigration reform, labor rights, and human rights. Immigrants generally see the Democratic Party as more accepting and inclusive than the Republican Party on these issues.

A report by Pew Research shows that states like California, Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York that have a vast majority of immigrant residents favored supporting the Democratic Party. Among independent or unaffiliated immigrants with either political party, California has 31%, Texas has 38%, and Illinois has 35%.

Other former presidents, James Buchanan, and Chester Arthur also had parents born outside of the United States, and this shows that while Obama’s election was a milestone, especially for African Americans, it was not the only one of its kind. It certainly opened the door for more immigrants to run for office.

Vice President Kamala Harris is the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica. Her election to the Vice Presidency of the United States is a testament to the power of second-generation immigrants in the United States. In addition, Harris’ election as the first female and person of color to hold the office of Vice President of the United States has inspired other immigrants and their families to dream of achieving the highest level of government office.

George Washington’s father was born in Barbados, while Andrew Jackson’s parents were both born in Ireland. Theodore Roosevelt’s father came from Germany, and both Herbert Hoover’s parents were born in Canada. Interestingly, John F. Kennedy’s father was born in England, and Ronald Reagan’s father came from Ireland.

Francis Suarez’s father, Xavier, was born in Cuba but emigrated to the United States and became Miami’s 35th and 39th mayor. Nimarata Nikki Randhawa, better known as Nikki Haley, served as the 29th US Ambassador to the UN. She is also the first woman and 116th Governor of South Carolina. Suarez was the President of the US Mayors’ Conference. Since 2017, he has served as mayor of Miami.

Who is Vivek?

There is no doubt that many people are familiar with Nikki Haley, but who is Vivek Ramaswamy, and where did he come from? The 37 years old presidential hopeful was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. His education includes a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a law degree from Yale University, so he is not an idiot; however, the policies he advocates may make you wonder if he has been living under a rock.

Career-wise, he is a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist and the founder and CEO of Roivant Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative treatments for patients with serious illnesses. He is also the author of the book “Age of the Platform: A New Model for Venture Capital and Innovation.”

Politically, he wants to abolish the Inland Revenue Services, IRS; most people paying higher taxes may agree to abolish it, and he also wants to terminate 10 federal agencies, including the Department of Education and the FBI.

Moreover, he favors the end to affirmative action, will fight to protect free speech, and believes that if you cannot fire someone for their sexual orientation or skin color, you should not fire them because they hold different political views.

Before Don Lemon departed from CNN, the Presidential hopeful sat down with the former anchor, and things didn’t go well. In a Yahoo report, Vivek stated that the Democrat party tried to re-slave blacks and put them back in chains during a National Rifle Association event speech.

Lemon’s perspective contradicts that of PBS NEWS, which states that the civil war was primarily motivated by the economic implications of slavery and the political power dynamics that supported it. The abolition of slavery and the liberation of black individuals were not the main reasons for the war, according to this source.

In this regard, if any candidate challenges him on history or the Constitution during the Republican primary debate stage, they should know that he has extensive knowledge in these areas.

Some believe that Vivek’s suggestion of ending lottery-based immigration, specifically the Diversity Immigrant Visa, is too radical since his parents were originally from India. “Of all people, Ramaswamy should be aware of the challenges of immigrating to this country, living here without losing one’s mind, and knowing the road to citizenship,” said an independent voter.

Vivek would make a great cabinet pick or a better vice-president choice, according to some voters, because he is young and energetic. However, President Trump is still the leading candidate to emerge from the Republican primary despite his legal troubles.

Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, and Francis Saurez may be the latest descendants of immigrants to run for the office of the President, but they certainly will not be the last. Immigrants have been part of the political process in the US since the very beginning and have gone on to become presidents, senators, and members of Congress. Immigrants continue to be a driving force behind the US political system, and their voices will continue to stand out in the future.

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