Chief Michael Banks of the U.S. Border Patrol underscored that the agency is not “anti-immigrant,” noting that immigrants are the underpinning of America.

“This country was built by immigrants. It will continue to thrive by immigrants. But what we have to have is immigrants to come to the front door, and ask for permission to come to this country so that we can vet them and make sure that those that are coming into this country are not going to do harm,” said Chief Banks, speaking at India’s 79th Independence Day celebrations held on August 16, 2025, at Dulles Town Center in Virginia.

The event was hosted by Srinivas Chavali of Dulles Town Center in collaboration with Aparna Madireddi, board member of Anna Sudha and appointee to the Virginia Humanities Board by Governor Glenn Youngkin. Madireddi partnered with Founder of Anna Sudha Kitchens, Nupur Agarwal, Board Chairman, Simon Lobo, Nilima Mehra, founder of Global Television Networks, along with Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of the International Leaders’ Summit and the U.S.-India Leaders’ Summit, and co-organizers of the US-India Strategic Forum including America’s Roundtable, to organize the program.

Several elected officials and dignitaries attended, including Lt. Colonel Robert Mosier of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office; Loudoun County Treasurer, Henry Eickelberg; Jigar Raval from the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C.; Virginia State Senator Kannan Srinivasan; Delegates Atoosa Reaser and Geary Higgins; Patti Menders, Community Liaison Officer for Attorney General Jason Miyares; Deana Griffiths of the Ashburn School Board; and Nicole Wittmann, Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Banks, who served 23 years with the Border Patrol before retiring under the Biden administration, said he was invited back to lead the agency by President Donald Trump following the 2024 election.

“We’re the United States Border Patrol. We will go anywhere in the United States of America and arrest someone… we’re not going to be restricted by the actual border,” he said.

Highlighting recent enforcement successes, Banks pointed to a “phenomenal” 94 percent reduction in illegal cross-border traffic and a 98 percent drop in “gotaways”, individuals attempting to evade law enforcement.

He stressed that the agency is not targeting people “just here for a better life” but is focused on individuals with criminal backgrounds.

According to Banks, 66 percent of those apprehended by the Border Patrol in the past seven months had prior criminal convictions, while another 33 percent were caught for having links to criminals involved in illegal activities.

“If the left wants immigration reform, knock off the games on the border. If the right wants immigration reform keep empowering me as you are to get that border shut down,” he added. “The quicker we get that border shut down, the quicker we get the criminals out of this country, the quicker we’re going to be able to get to the table and come up with real comprehensive immigration reform that’s going to help my family. It’s going to help your family while we continue to keep this country safe.”

In his message, he urged the community to rely on official sources such as cbp.gov for accurate information, rather than misinformation and fearmongering.

First Secretary for ITOU and Community Affairs at the Indian Embassy, Jigar Raval, highlighted the Indian diaspora’s significant contributions to the U.S. economy, noting that the 5.4 million-strong community contributes six percent of the U.S. GDP.

He emphasized that 80,000 Indian American doctors serve nearly 30 percent of the U.S. population, and described the diaspora as a bridge between the two nations.

Economist Natasha Srdoc echoed the importance of immigrant contributions. “Indians, like most of the immigrants, came to America to live the American Dream,” she said. Stressing shared values such as family, education, law and order, and free enterprise, she underscored the role of Indian Americans in strengthening both U.S. and Indian economies.

Anand Samy, called for stronger U.S.-India trade relations. He noted that America remains a top destination for foreign direct investment, citing a recent White House report projecting a combined domestic and foreign investment of $8 trillion to boost economic growth.

As India engages with US negotiators, Anand Samy stressed, “We believe that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has an opportunity to directly reach out to President Donald Trump, and open direct communication talks in order to make a deal.” 

He said for India, the government has to address glaring internal pressures with a working population that is projected to reach 65 percent in 2036, with about 28 million unemployed educated youth seeking jobs, and roughly 100 million women who have stopped seeking employment.

Mansoor Qureshi, co-founder of the South Asian Business Council of Virginia (SABCVA), stressed the importance of unity among the South Asian community. “Today is the day to remember history, sacrifice and unity. It is also a day to look forward together as a South Asian community, building bridges across culture,” he said.

The event also recognized community leadership with Anna Sudha Community Kitchens and the Loudoun Treasurer, presenting special awards to local businesses. Qureshi and Madireddi of SABCVA received the “Exceptional Business Leadership Award” from Treasurer Eickelberg for their efforts towards empowering and uplifting the DMV community.

Qureshi, who serves on the Virginia Asian American Advisory Board, along with Madireddi, presented award certificates to the SABCVA internship students who have been working on an App development project for the past few weeks.

The celebration featured several cultural performances by Nupur Dance School, Studio Dhoom, Bhangra Steps Academy, Arpan Dance Academy, Brihadisha School of Music & Dance, Thapasya School of Dance, Salangai Arts School of Dance, Konark School of Dance, and Kuchipudi Dance Academy, showcasing the diversity of Indian traditions.

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