A city councilmember in Florida is under heavy criticism after posting a series of online comments calling for Indian people in the United States to be deported. Chandler Langevin, who represents Palm Bay, made several remarks over the past few weeks that were condemned as racist and hateful. The posts sparked outrage among Indian American communities, political leaders, and local residents. Langevin, elected to the Palm Bay city council last year, shared the comments on X, saying that Indian immigrants come to the United States to “drain our pockets” before returning to India “or worse, to stay.” The comments quickly went viral, leading to widespread backlash. Local residents and national Indian American organizations began attending city council meetings, demanding Langevin’s resignation. On Thursday, the Palm Bay city council voted 3-2 to formally censure him for his remarks. Mayor Rob Medina, who also sits on the council, said during the meeting that the remarks did not reflect the values of Palm Bay. “This nation was founded on immigrants,” he said. “We are all part of the very fabric of the United States.” National advocacy organizations condemned Langevin’s posts, calling them divisive and dangerous. Hindus for Human Rights described his comments as “overtly bigoted, dehumanizing, and dangerous.” The group called on Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, to suspend Langevin from office, warning that failure to act would legitimize hate speech from elected officials. The Asian American Hotel Owners Association also criticized the remarks. Representatives told the city council earlier this month that Langevin’s words “echo some of history’s darkest rhetoric” and could fuel hostility toward minority communities. The group said such statements risk normalizing violence and discrimination in the United States. Prominent figures from both political parties have denounced the councilmember’s behavior. Florida Republicans, including Representative Mike Haridopolos and Senator Rick Scott, joined Democrats in condemning Langevin’s remarks. Brevard County Republican Party chair Rick Lacey said in a statement that Langevin’s views do not represent the party. “Even though Mr. Langevin is a registered Republican, his views are his and his alone,” Lacey said. Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried also issued a statement calling the councilmember’s remarks “vile and reprehensible.” She said the residents of Palm Bay deserve leadership that promotes unity rather than hate. Fried added that Langevin’s statements show a “hateful ignorance” that has no place in public office. Speaking to reporters earlier this week, Langevin defended his comments, saying his intent was to start a discussion about immigration. “I’m not the first Republican to make a mean tweet,” he said. His response has done little to calm public anger, as protesters and civil rights advocates continue to call for his resignation. Community leaders across Florida have voiced concern that Langevin’s remarks could damage relationships between elected officials and immigrant communities. Indian Americans make up one of the fastest-growing minority populations in Florida, contributing significantly to the state’s economy and technology sectors. Many see the incident as part of a broader rise in anti-immigrant sentiment in U.S. politics. Local residents say Langevin’s behavior has embarrassed Palm Bay and diverted attention from pressing city issues. Some residents have called for him to undergo cultural sensitivity training, while others insist he should resign immediately. “These comments don’t represent who we are as a community,” one resident said during a recent council meeting. As pressure continues to mount, it remains unclear whether the governor’s office will intervene. Advocacy groups say they will continue to push for accountability, warning that silence from state leaders could set a dangerous example. For now, the censure stands as a rare rebuke from within the city’s own leadership, but calls for Langevin’s resignation show no signs of stopping. The controversy has also reignited national discussion about the role of social media in spreading hate speech by public officials. Many observers argue that such remarks deepen social divides and erode trust in government institutions. While Langevin insists he will not step down, public opposition continues to grow, turning a local scandal into a statewide political storm.