Indian-Malaysian Vishen Lakhiani, CEO of American firm, stopped at Miami airport

In a shocking welcome to the US, Mindvalley CEO Vishen Lakhiani was stopped by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents at the Miami airport. He spoke about the incident at length on social media afterwards, explaining that it had created a sense of dread in him.

Lakhiani, a Malaysian-born entrepreneur of Indian descent, has a valid O-1 visa, a document granted to individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the fields of sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. 

In his Insta post, he said that while he has been contributing to the American economy – including by paying tax for more than 22 years – and leading a company with 230 international employees, he was stunned at the reception he was given. His net worth, reports Times of India, stands at $40 million (Dh146 million).

He slammed political rhetoric against immigrants as one reason for the incident and said the country was becoming ‘closed and narrow-minded’ because of leaders who “blame immigrants instead of offering real solutions.”  

He added that he is keen for the next elections, in which, he says, he hopes to see change.

This year has seen plenty of upheaval when it comes to visas, from citizens of particular countries being banned to the new move by US President Donald Trump to end the H-1B visa programme.