'3rd World Aliens': MAGA Activist's Remarks Over Hanuman Statue In Texas Sparks Row

Last Updated:February 19, 2026, 09:22 IST

The community members associated with the temple said the monument reflects the religious identity of Hindu Americans in the region.

A conservative activist, Carlos Turcios, has sparked outrage after sharing a video of a large Lord Hanuman statue at a Hindu temple, claiming it as proof of an invasion by Indian immigrants.

Taking to X, Turcios posted a video of the 90-foot statue at the Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, near Houston, saying, “This is not Islamabad, Pakistan, or New Delhi, India. This is Sugar Land, Texas. Third World Aliens are slowly taking over Texas and America. Why is the third-largest statue in the US this??! Stop the INVASION!" he wrote.

The statue of Lord Hanuman, called Panchaloha Abhaya Hanuman, was unveiled in August 2024 and is recognised as the tallest Hanuman statue in North America.

Community Supporters Reject Allegations

Responding to the invasion accusations, the community members associated with the temple said the monument reflects the religious identity of Hindu Americans in the region and stated that the temple complex was built through private donations and is open to visitors of all backgrounds.

Giving the example of communities often constructing prominent symbols of belief — from church spires to Buddhist temples and giant crosses — the supporters argued that the Hanuman statue represents religious pluralism rather than political messaging.

This is not the first time that Turcios has criticised immigrants on social media, particularly Indians and Muslims in Texas.

In previous messages, he complained about Indian tech workers on H-1B visas and warned of Islamic influence in American cities, again using the phrase “stop the invasion."

Online Backlash

Turcios’s remarks about the Hanuman statue attracted strong criticism online, especially from Indian-American voices who framed the temple as an example of constitutionally protected religious practice.

Several users on X argued that immigrants and faith communities have long contributed to American society and that religious monuments of many traditions exist across the country.

News world '3rd World Aliens': MAGA Activist's Remarks Over Hanuman Statue In Texas Sparks Row

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