Texas Republicans Call for Immigration Freeze After Austin Shooting

GOP lawmakers demand Congress halt immigration programs in wake of deadly bar attack

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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A group of over 70 Republican state representatives in Texas have sent a letter to Congress calling for a freeze on immigration programs following a deadly shooting at an Austin bar. The letter cites the shooting, which left four people dead including the gunman, as a potential act of terrorism and demands that Congress halt new immigration applications until the government can guarantee proper vetting and tracking of individuals entering the country. The letter comes as the registration period for new H-1B visas opened this week, a program that has faced criticism from some Republicans.

Why it matters

This letter from Texas Republicans reflects growing political pressure to tighten immigration policies in the wake of high-profile incidents involving foreign-born individuals. The call for a freeze on immigration programs could signal a shift in the GOP's approach to immigration ahead of the 2024 election cycle, as Republicans seek to appeal to voters concerned about border security and public safety.

The details

The letter, signed by over 70 Republican state representatives, lays out four specific demands for Congress: 1) Halt all new immigration applications until the government can properly identify, track, and vet individuals entering the U.S.; 2) Suspend the H-1B visa program, which allows American companies to employ foreign workers with specialized skills; 3) Increase interior enforcement and deportations of undocumented immigrants; and 4) Withhold federal funding from 'sanctuary cities' that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The letter refers to the Austin shooting, in which the gunman was identified as a naturalized U.S. citizen from Senegal, as a 'terrorist attack' that underscores the need for tighter immigration controls.

  • The letter was sent to Congressional leaders this week.
  • The registration period for new H-1B visas opened on Wednesday.

The players

Texas House Republicans

A group of over 70 Republican state representatives in the Texas House of Representatives who signed the letter calling for a freeze on immigration programs.

Ndiaga Diagne

The 53-year-old gunman who opened fire at an Austin bar, killing four people including himself. Diagne entered the U.S. from Senegal on a tourist visa in 2000 and later gained U.S. citizenship.

Greg Abbott

The Republican governor of Texas who in January directed state agencies to freeze all H-1B visa applications until 2027, citing 'recent reports of abuse' of the program.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Texas House Republicans (Letter to Congressional leaders)

“Now, for the first time, every Texas business is equally eligible to compete for state contracts, regardless of race or gender.”

— Kelly Hancock, Texas Comptroller (Statement on changes to the HUB program)

What’s next

The letter from Texas Republicans will likely intensify the ongoing political debate over immigration policy, particularly as the 2024 election cycle approaches. Congressional leaders will have to decide whether to take up the GOP's demands for a freeze on immigration programs.

The takeaway

This letter from Texas Republicans reflects the continued political salience of immigration as a key issue, with the party seeking to appeal to voters concerned about border security and public safety in the wake of high-profile incidents. The call for a freeze on immigration programs could foreshadow a more hardline stance on the issue from the GOP heading into the next presidential election.