The toll of hate on South Asians in Texas and their determination to be heard
SAAVETX EF, one of Texas’s largest South Asian civic outreach organizations, surveyed 1,000 South Asian Texans ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026, midterm election. The findings reveal a stark contradiction: while 67% of South Asian respondents identify at least somewhat strongly as Texan, only 34% feel completely or mostly accepted in Texas.
reported at least one experience of hate (including online harassment, threats of violence and damage to places of worship) in Texas during the past year based on their race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, accent or immigration background.
said their community's concerns are not well understood or not understood at all by elected officials.
believe political rhetoric contributes a great deal or somewhat to hostility toward South Asians.
have participated in at least one civic activity other than voting.
Belonging Under
Pressure
In collaboration with UC San Diego
1,000 South Asian Texans surveyed · Analysis by Tom K. Wong, UC San Diego
Building civic presence in the American South
SAAVETX EF commissioned this statewide survey to examine the challenges facing South Asian Texans, the realities of building civic presence in the American South, and how fear, hostility and concerns about belonging may discourage community members from participating in elections.
Drawing on a decade of on-the-ground community engagement, and released in collaboration with UC San Diego ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026, midterm election, the survey examines belonging, discrimination, political representation and civic participation.
Our community is tired of being treated as outsiders and used as political pawns.
When elected officials and candidates fuel hostility, people feel less safe and less confident in the institutions meant to protect them. Candidates and elected leaders cannot afford to overlook our community. South Asian Texans deserve to be heard, represented, and able to participate in our democracy without fear.”
See every finding
Explore all eight sections with interactive charts: belonging, hate and discrimination, daily routines, reporting and rhetoric, representation, voting motivation, issues and identity, and the election snapshot.
Methodology: 1,000 South Asian adults age 18 or older living in Texas, surveyed in October 2026 by online panel, text and phone. Analysis by Tom K. Wong, UC San Diego.
