South Asian immigrants in the United States: Caste-based cultural practices, caste oppression and coping mechanisms for handling collective trauma

In recent decades, developed economies’ growing reliance on high-skilled labour has led to migration flows from other nations. South Asians now represent the second-largest foreign-born population in the United States. Globally, a hierarchical caste system has perpetuated systemic violence, inequality and collective trauma. This study uses qualitative methods, specifically focus group discussions (FGDs) with US-based scheduled caste, other backward classes (OBC) and privileged caste participants from the South Asian diaspora. The research investigates (1) identity-based cultural and caste practices and collective trauma among historically oppressed caste groups; (2) differing experiences of dominant and marginalized caste participants and (3) coping strategies oppressed groups employ to navigate caste identities in a new societal context. The research findings show the exclusion, internalization of trauma, or resistance among oppressed caste immigrants as they experience similar caste-based experiences in their home countries. Nevertheless, participants also demonstrated resilience through social bonding and a sense of safety within their group.