Frisco, Texas — A heated city council meeting on February 3 erupted into a contentious showdown between right-wing activists and Indian-American residents, with critics alleging an "Indian takeover
America First" apparel and far-right symbols descended on the packed chamber to voice concerns about Frisco's rapidly changing demographics, while Indian-American citizens and city leaders pushed back against what they characterized as ethnic profiling and discrimination.
Key Facts
• Indian and Asian residents comprise 33% of Frisco's population in 2026, up dramatically from just 10% in 2010, coinciding with 75% of all H-1B visas being issued to Indian professionals according to USCIS data
• The February 3 council meeting was organized after right-wing influencers Kaylee Campbell and Marc Palasciano posted social media videos urging North Texans to attend and speak against the "massive takeover," with Campbell's video garnering over 370,000 views
• Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently ordered a freeze on H-1B hiring at state agencies and universities, while Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched a probe into three North Texas businesses suspected of H-1B visa fraud
The council chamber filled to capacity as activists from across North Texas—not just Frisco residents—carried signs and wore clothing bearing far-right imagery including "America First" hats, Punisher skull logos, and Confederate symbols. The right-wing crowd alleged that Indian immigrants were committing systematic visa fraud to displace American workers and fundamentally alter the city's character and demographics.
Marc Palasciano, who describes himself as a whistleblower and H-1B visa fraud investigator, made provocative statements questioning the loyalty and legitimacy of Indian residents.
Palasciano declared during public comment.
One speaker, Dylan Law, a University of North Texas student claiming to be a Frisco resident, expressed concern that longtime residents felt marginalized.
Law stated.
Indian-American residents who actually lived in Frisco responded with measured but firm counterarguments about economic contributions and belonging. Shanthan Toodi, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, rejected the takeover narrative while acknowledging legitimate concerns about visa fraud.
Toodi said.
Another Indian-American resident, Muni Janagarajan, highlighted the community's tangible contributions to Frisco's quality of life and prosperity. When Indian families purchase homes in Frisco, Janagarajan explained, they directly fund the city's world-class parks and Frisco Independent School District, consistently ranked among Texas's top-rated school systems that benefit every child regardless of background.
Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney expressed strong support for the Indian community and the city's diversity initiatives, referencing celebrations of cultural festivals including Holi.
Cheney stated.
City Council Member Burt Thakur, Frisco's first Indian-American council member, directly challenged the underlying premise of the criticism.
Thakur stated during the meeting. He emphasized that Indians have been coming to America for generations, strengthening the American Dream through participation and hard work, and he expressed his commitment to ensuring Indian voters become
City Attorney Richard Abernathy clarified an important legal point that seemed lost on many speakers: the Frisco City Council has no control over or involvement in administering the federal H-1B visa program, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security. Claims of widespread H-1B fraud remain unsubstantiated, despite becoming a rallying cry for activists.
The political timing of the council meeting proved significant, occurring just days after Governor Greg Abbott announced the state freeze on H-1B hiring and Attorney General Ken Paxton launched investigations into three North Texas companies. These state-level actions energized right-wing activists and lent perceived credibility to their claims, even though independent verification of actual fraud remains absent.
Longtime Frisco resident Amit Radjadhyaksha spoke compellingly about community bonds transcending ethnicity, referencing Webelos Scouts of apparent Indian descent leading the meeting's pledge of allegiance.
Radjadhyaksha said.
Do You Know?
The talking points and tactics used by North Texas activists against Frisco's Indian community closely mirror strategies deployed by far-right influencers in Minnesota, who have launched similar conspiracy campaigns targeting the state's Somali immigrant community by alleging widespread child care subsidy fraud. These coordinated approaches suggest a broader pattern of anti-immigrant activism leveraging unsubstantiated claims to mobilize opposition.
Key Terms
• H-1B Visa: A temporary work visa issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that allows American companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations, typically requiring advanced degrees; approximately 75% are awarded to professionals from India
• Visa Fraud: Unlawful schemes to obtain or misuse immigration visas, a federal crime that remains unsubstantiated in the Frisco allegations despite being the primary justification for the activism
• Demographic Shift: The measurable change in a community's population composition by race, ethnicity, or national origin; Frisco's Indian and Asian population grew from 10% to 33% between 2010 and 2026
• Far-Right Activism: Organized political action by groups promoting white nationalist, anti-immigrant, or extremist ideologies, often coordinated through social media by influencers seeking to mobilize supporters
Asia91 Original