Politicians in Texas have faced criticism for linking the recent mass shooting in Austin to H-1B visa holders and immigrants, even though the suspect was a naturalised US citizen. The backlash has sparked debate about the politicisation of tragedies and the role of immigration in political discourse.

The shooting occurred on March 1 in downtown Austin, Texas, near a bar on West Sixth Street. Authorities said a gunman opened fire on people outside the venue, killing two people and injuring more than a dozen others before he was shot dead by police. The suspect was identified as Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old resident of Texas who had originally immigrated from Senegal but later became a US citizen in 2013.

Following the tragedy, several Texas Republican lawmakers called for stricter immigration policies. More than 70 GOP members of the Texas House signed a letter urging Congress to halt immigration until stronger vetting systems are implemented. Some politicians also questioned the H-1B visa program, which allows US companies to hire skilled foreign workers in specialised fields such as technology and engineering.

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Hindu group condemns H-1B link to the shooting

The Hindu American Foundation condemned Texan politicians for associating the latest shooting in Austin with immigration and (H-1B) visas.

In a statement on X, the advocacy organisation countered efforts to link the incident to the H-1B visa program, clarifying that the perpetrator was not a visa holder but rather a long-established American citizen.

“Texas politicians are blaming H-1B visas for the Austin shooting. The suspect was a U.S. citizen, long settled in the country, not some foreign worker on a visa,” the Hindu American Foundation stated.

“Using a tragedy to attack skilled immigrants? That’s not policy. That’s absurd political theater. Please. Make it make sense,” it further said.

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What else do we know about the Austin shooting suspect?

Diagne hailed from Senegal and arrived in the US on a tourist visa in 2000. He subsequently obtained lawful permanent residency after marrying a US citizen in 2006 and was naturalised in 2013. A photo that CNN obtained showed that the suspect was sporting a hoodie that read “Property of Allah.” According to the outlet’s source, law enforcement subsequently discovered that Diagne was wearing a T-shirt with an Iranian flag pattern on it.

During the attack, he reportedly used a pistol and an AR-15-style rifle to shoot at people in and around the crowded entertainment district.