According to the Represent Asian Project, KATSEYE member Lara Rajagopalan was recently the target of a false report to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), submitted by a K-Pop fan accusing her of living in the country illegally.
Lara, an Indian American born in Texas and raised in Los Angeles, is one of the first South Asian women to break into the mainstream K-Pop industry. She officially debuted in 2024 as part of KATSEYE, the global girl group formed through HYBE and Geffen Records’ joint survival show, The Debut: Dream Academy.
In June, a fan identifying themselves as “clara” filed a tip through ICE’s official website, falsely claiming that Lara was an “illegal alien” who lacked the appropriate visa or legal residency status. A screenshot of the submission, which later went viral, has since sparked outrage online. Reddit users called the action “appallingly racist,” noting that Lara is a U.S. citizen and has no immigration violations.
Lara’s mother is Indian Tamil and her father is Sri Lankan Tamil. Despite her multicultural background, Lara has always been open about her American upbringing. Earlier this year, she came out as queer in a heartfelt Weverse post, jokingly referring to herself as “half fruitcake.”
Although ICE is unlikely to act on the baseless claim, the report has raised concerns about the racist harassment that Lara and other idols of color continue to face in the K-pop space.
KATSEYE, composed of members Manon, Sophia, Daniela, Lara, Megan, and Yoonchae, has been gaining international momentum since debuting in June 2024. The group represents a new wave of global talent, with members hailing from the Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States. Their debut single “Debut,” followed by the catchy hit “Touch,” has quickly won over fans worldwide.
Source: Instagram
