- Over 70 Texas Republican leaders sent a letter to Congress.
- Lawmakers called for a temporary halt to immigration.
- They also demanded an immediate freeze on new H-1B visas.
- The request follows a deadly shooting in Austin, Texas.
- The suspect had no connection to the H-1B visa program.
More than 70 Republican lawmakers from Texas have urged the United States Congress to temporarily halt immigration and freeze new H-1B visa approvals following a deadly shooting in Austin that killed two people and injured 14 others.
The request came after a violent incident in downtown Austin early Sunday morning. Authorities said the suspect, 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, opened fire outside a crowded bar on West Sixth Street, a popular nightlife area in the city.
Investigators said Diagne was originally from Senegal and had been living in the United States for many years. According to officials, he first entered the country on a tourist visa in 2000. He later obtained lawful permanent residency after marrying a US citizen in 2006 and became a naturalized US citizen in 2013.
Police also noted that the suspect was wearing a sweatshirt with the phrase “Property of Allah.” Authorities are examining whether the attack could be connected to tensions following recent US military strikes on Iran, though no direct link has been confirmed.
Despite the suspect having no ties to the H-1B visa system, Republican leaders included the visa program in their demands for stricter immigration measures.
In a letter addressed to congressional leaders, the lawmakers said the United States must tighten immigration policies until authorities can fully track and vet individuals entering the country.
“The American people, and the people of Texas, demand immigration policies that place the safety and welfare of Americans first,” the letter stated.
The lawmakers also criticized what they described as political gridlock in Washington, saying the federal government must take stronger action to protect citizens.
“More Americans will be killed if Congress continues to treat border security and immigration enforcement as political footballs,” the letter said. “We do not send our representatives to Washington to tweet; we send them to govern.”
The Republican leaders outlined four major steps they want Congress to take.
First, they called for full funding of the Department of Homeland Security, which they described as the nation’s frontline defense against security threats. The lawmakers argued that reducing funding for the agency weakens national security.
Second, they demanded an immediate freeze on all new H-1B visas until a comprehensive audit of current visa holders is conducted.
Third, the letter urged Congress to temporarily pause all immigration into the United States until authorities can better identify, track, and vet individuals entering the country.
Finally, the lawmakers asked the government to redirect resources toward identifying potential threats already inside the country by cross-checking immigration records, law enforcement databases, and intelligence reports.
The proposal is likely to spark debate in Washington, as immigration and visa policies remain highly contested issues in US politics. Critics are expected to point out that the Austin suspect had no connection to employment-based visas such as the H-1B program.
