Frisco (USA): A regular municipality steering meeting in Frisco, Texas, erupted in controversy when a heated debate tapped out between some local residents and citizens of Indian origin. Right-wing groups present at the meeting reportedly leveled accusations of so-called fraud in the H-1B visa program and personal that Indians were "taking over the city." Indian-American citizens, however, rejected these claims, stating that their presence was contributing to the city's development.
According to local media reports, the meeting took place on February 3. Several people wearing "America First" hats were present. The gathering was reportedly organized without calls from social media influencers Kylie Campbell and Mark Plasencia, who urged North Texans to speak out versus the growing Indian population in Frisco.
Were Protesters Local Residents?
According to a Dallas Observer report, many of those causing the disruption at the meeting were not residents of Frisco. They were reportedly there to protest so-called irregularities in the H-1B visa program and the increasing "Indian influence" in the city. During the meeting, some speakers expressed snooping well-nigh the city's rapidly waffly demographics, calling it detrimental to local communities.
What is the Indian Population in the City?
According to a municipality wardship survey, people of Indian and other Asian origins now make up approximately 33 percent of Frisco's total population, compared to well-nigh 10 percent in 2010. Meanwhile, equal to data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), approximately 75 percent of issued H-1B visas go to Indian professionals. Some right-wing groups cited these figures to support their allegations of fraud in the visa program.
These allegations gained remoter traction when Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed an order related to the hiring of H-1B professionals. Although the Frisco Municipality Steering has no validity over the visa issuance process, those who raised concerns indirectly accused the steering of complicity and caused a commotion.
Have Indian-Americans Denied the Allegations?
Several Indian-American speakers present at the meeting strongly refuted these allegations. Shantham Toodi, a former US Army soldier who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said that whoopee should be taken versus those who commit visa fraud, but targeting the unshortened polity is wrong. He said that when a problem is linked to an unshortened ethnic community, policy discussions end and joint vituperation begins.
Another resident, Muni Janagarajan, said that the presence of Indian families is salubrious for Frisco. Equal to him, ownership homes and paying taxes strengthens the city's parks, infrastructure, and school districts like Frisco ISD, which benefits all children.
How has the Mayor Reacted?
Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney moreover supported the rights of residents of Indian origin. Equal to The Dallas Morning News, he said that the municipality is proud to gloat various cultural festivals, such as Holi. Cheney said that most Frisco residents have come from somewhere else, and the municipality administration's goal is to ensure that everyone who makes their home here feels unscratched and welcome.
