In the wake of a tragic shooting in downtown Austin, calls are growing among Texas Republicans for an immediate halt to immigration into the United States. This demand follows the identification of a naturalized U.S. citizen as the suspected shooter, who is accused of killing two individuals and injuring 14 others early Sunday morning.
On Monday, over 70 members of the Texas House signed a letter addressed to congressional leaders, advocating for a suspension of immigration until “proper vetting protocols” are established. This move aligns with a broader narrative among Republicans who are attributing the attack to immigration issues.
“The American people — and the people of Texas — demand immigration policies that prioritize the safety and well-being of Americans,” the letter states. State Representative Cole Hefner, who chairs the House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans’ Affairs and is the primary author of the letter, emphasized that this effort was a collaborative initiative among Texas House Republicans.
The proposed immigration freeze specifically aims at H-1B visas, which are non-immigrant visas allowing U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialized fields. State leaders, including Governor Greg Abbott, have already taken steps earlier this year to halt new H-1B applications across public universities and state agencies. This initiative would further intensify the ongoing crackdown on legal immigration initiated during the Trump administration.
The letter also emphasizes the necessity for full funding of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a sentiment echoed by state officials like Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. “Democrats must act swiftly to fund DHS and address the issues their policies have caused,” Patrick remarked in a post on X.
Recently, the DHS has faced a funding impasse, as Senate Democrats have withheld support for a funding package unless there are changes in immigration enforcement policies. This standoff has occurred in the context of recent fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents in Texas and Minnesota during the latter part of the Trump administration.
In contrast, Texas Democrats have responded to the Austin shooting with a focus on combating gun violence. “Gun violence continues to claim the lives of too many Texans,” remarked lawmakers from the Austin area in a joint statement. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we will persist in our fight for them.”
The shooting incident occurred shortly before 2 a.m. on Sunday, when 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne allegedly opened fire, resulting in two fatalities and 14 injuries. Diagne was reportedly wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with “Property of Allah” and a shirt featuring an Iranian flag design, coinciding with rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Law enforcement swiftly intervened, fatally shooting Diagne at the scene.
Authorities are currently investigating the incident as a “potential act of terrorism,” while seeking to ascertain the shooter’s motives. Republicans have scrutinized Diagne’s immigrant background, suggesting he was inadequately vetted prior to securing citizenship.
According to the DHS, Diagne entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2000, became a lawful permanent resident after marrying a U.S. citizen in 2006, and was naturalized in 2013. Denise Gilman, director of the Immigration Clinic at the University of Texas at Austin, pointed out that the naturalization process has historically involved extensive vetting and highlighted studies indicating that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes compared to those born in the country.
