Texas House Republicans Call for H-1B Visa Freeze After Austin Attack
WASHINGTON — A group of Texas House Republicans is urging Congress to immediately freeze new H-1B visa issuances and pause broader immigration programs following a deadly shooting in Austin that federal authorities are investigating as an act of terrorism.
In a March 2 letter to congressional leaders, the lawmakers said they were writing “in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attack on the citizens of Austin, Texas.”
The shooting occurred early Sunday along West 6th Street, where a gunman opened fire on people gathered outside a nightlife venue, killing two and injuring 14 others before being shot and killed by Austin police. The FBI has said it is investigating the incident as a possible act of terrorism.
The letter was addressed to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
“The time for deliberation has passed. The American people — and the people of Texas — demand immigration policies that place the safety and welfare of Americans first,” the lawmakers wrote, adding that “every day that Congress fails to act is another day that puts American lives at risk.”
The letter outlined four specific demands.
First, the lawmakers called on Congress to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security, describing it as “the frontline defense of this nation.” They warned that “budgetary obstruction and political gamesmanship that starves DHS of the resources it needs is not a negotiating tactic, it is a national security failure.”
Second, they urged Congress to “Immediately Freeze All H-1B Visa Issuances.” The lawmakers wrote: “Until a comprehensive audit of existing visa holders and their current status is completed, Congress must enact an immediate freeze on all new H-1B visa issuances.” They added, “We must know who is in this country, why they are here, and whether they pose any risk to national security.”
Third, they called for Congress to “Pause All Immigration Until Proper Vetting Protocols Are Established,” arguing that “We do not have an adequate accounting of who is in this country.” The letter added that “a pause is not anti-immigrant — it is pro-American.”
Finally, the lawmakers asked federal authorities to “Redirect Resources Toward Identifying Threats Already Within Our Borders.” They said this would require “a concerted, well-funded effort to cross-reference immigration records, law enforcement databases, and intelligence reports to identify individuals who pose a credible threat to American citizens.”
The letter emphasized that “terrorists do not care about party affiliation” and stated, “To them, we are all the same target.” It concluded: “If Congress refuses to act, then Congress must empower the states to act.” The lawmakers said Texas “will use every legal and legislative tool available to protect our citizens, with or without federal cooperation.”
Immigration and border security remain central political issues in Washington, with ongoing debates over DHS funding and the balance of federal and state authority. The Austin attack is likely to intensify those discussions in the coming weeks. (Source: IANS)
