Texas Republicans Call for Immigration Freeze Following Austin Shooting

On Sunday, March 1, 2026, a shooting in downtown Austin resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to 14 others. The suspected gunman, 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, was shot and killed by police at the scene. Diagne was reportedly wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with “Property of Allah” and a shirt featuring an Iranian flag design. Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism, although the motive remains unclear.

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In the aftermath of the shooting, over 70 Texas House Republicans signed a letter urging congressional leaders to impose an immediate halt on immigration until enhanced vetting protocols are established. The letter emphasizes the need for immigration policies that prioritize the safety and welfare of Americans. State Rep. Cole Hefner, who chairs the House’s Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans’ Affairs Committee, led the initiative, which also targets H-1B visas, a non-immigrant visa program for foreign workers in specialty occupations.

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Governor Greg Abbott has previously ordered a freeze on new H-1B visa applications for public universities and state agencies, reflecting a broader crackdown on legal immigration that has intensified since the Trump administration. The letter also calls for full funding of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a sentiment echoed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who criticized Democrats for their role in the agency's funding standoff.

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Texas Democrats have responded to the shooting by focusing on gun violence rather than immigration policy. They issued a joint statement expressing condolences to the victims and their families, emphasizing the need to combat gun violence in Texas. Denise Gilman, director of the Immigration Clinic at the University of Texas at Austin, countered the narrative linking immigration to crime, stating that the naturalization process involves extensive vetting and that studies indicate immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born citizens.

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While Republicans have highlighted Diagne's immigrant background as a failure of the vetting process, the DHS reports that he entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2000, became a lawful permanent resident through marriage in 2006, and was naturalized in 2013. This raises questions about the effectiveness of current immigration policies and the implications of linking individual acts of violence to broader immigration issues.

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• “The American people — and the people of Texas — demand immigration policies that place the safety and welfare of Americans first,” — State Rep. Cole Hefner

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• “Gun violence continues to steal the lives of too many Texans,” — Texas Democratic lawmakers

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• “Denise Gilman, director of the Immigration Clinic at the University of Texas at Austin, said the naturalization process has long required extensive vetting.” — Denise Gilman, Director of the Immigration Clinic at the University of Texas at Austin

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As investigations continue, the political discourse surrounding immigration and gun violence in Texas is likely to intensify, reflecting the complexities of public safety and policy in the state.

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