"a large majority of countries that are still considered third world."
US conservative influencer Priya Patel ignited fresh controversy following a heated appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored, when she called parts of India “third world”.
Piers Morgan highlighted Patel’s growing online reach before questioning her stance on assimilation.
He asked: “I mean, what is the specific American culture, for example? How would you articulate it?”
Patel replied: “If you didn’t want to assimilate to American culture and live as an American, why exactly would you leave the country that you came from to begin with if you’re only going to bring your culture’s customs and norms and implement them here?”
Morgan challenged her argument by referencing her family background:
“You know, maybe the same reason your father left Uganda.”
The remark prompted a strong response from fellow guest Brian Shapiro, who added:
“Do you not understand that there are people that are seeking asylum, that want a better life for themselves and their families that are afraid that they could even lose their lives.
“Do you understand how many people are seeking asylum and are in fear for their lives?”
Patel dismissed that perspective, arguing that asylum claims are often overstated:
“For you to make the statement that a very small percentage of people coming to the United States, as I’m just saying, the large majority of people claiming asylum are actually economic migrants.
“They’re not from war-torn countries or suffering under one of the other conditions.”
Morgan then raised a previous comment that had gone viral:
“You said not all cultures are equal and we shouldn’t be importing the third world. So what did you mean by the third world?”
Priya Patel replied: “I think that’s pretty evident. There are a large majority of countries that are still considered third world.
“I think there are a lot of parts of India that, yes, should be considered a third-world country still today.”
Friendly Reminder: Immigration without assimilation is invasion. pic.twitter.com/eAIfT6A4Vs
— Priya Patel (@priyaee) March 26, 2026
On the cultures she considered inferior, Patel added:
“The culture that comes from Afghanistan. We can talk about the Muslim culture that comes from the Middle Eastern countries. I would argue that those aren’t particularly equal.”
Asked directly, “So you think the Muslim culture is an inferior culture?” she replied: “In a lot of ways yes.”
Shapiro called the influencer’s remarks “extremely offensive” and “pure bigotry”.
He added: “When you go on her social media page, she echoes a lot of similar things that MAGA Republicans echo… What she does is she caters to MAGA Republicans in her base. It’s why she gets all the views she gets. And I think it’s extremely offensive.”
Priya Patel is known for her pro-MAGA stance and has caused controversy with her comments on immigration.
Her comments have also sparked debate over her Indian heritage, with social media users labelling her a hypocrite and stating that she should self-deport if she intends to adhere to her own principles.
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