A Texas attorney general candidate is facing backlash after posting a controversial message on social media that criticized Indian immigrants and corporate hiring practices in the state.
A Republican candidate for Texas attorney general, Aaron Reitz, has come under fire for a social media post that has reignited discussions about immigration and corporate hiring practices. His remarks, made on X, targeted Indian immigrants and multinational corporations operating in Texas.
In his post, Reitz stated, “Collin, Dallas, & Harris Counties may soon be renamed Calcutta, Delhi, & Hyderabad Counties given how bad the invasion of un-assimilated & un-assimilable Indians has become.” He suggested that these counties were being overwhelmed by foreign workers, whom he accused of taking jobs from native Texans.
Reitz’s comments were met with swift condemnation from civil rights advocates and political opponents, who labeled his language as racist and inflammatory. He criticized global corporations for allegedly exploiting Texas’ favorable economic climate while sidelining American workers through the use of H-1B visas, a federal program that allows companies to hire highly skilled foreign labor.
As a former federal prosecutor and conservative activist, Reitz claimed that if elected attorney general, he would collaborate with the Trump administration to scrutinize corporate immigration paperwork and pursue deportations aggressively. He also indicated that he would allow only some immigrants to remain in the state through a process of “assimilation.” Furthermore, he pledged to target companies he accused of disloyalty to Texas and the United States, asserting that the state should not be treated “like a mere economic zone.”
The backlash was immediate, with immigrant advocacy groups, business leaders, and Democratic lawmakers criticizing Reitz’s rhetoric. They argued that his comments unfairly generalize entire communities and risk inciting ethnic tensions in one of the most diverse states in the nation. Steven Brown, a Houston-based immigration attorney, remarked on X that Indian Americans play significant roles in various sectors, including medicine, technology, and small business ownership in Texas. He added, “This kind of language dehumanizes people who live, work, and contribute to Texas every day,” and noted that Reitz’s understanding of legal immigration and workforce needs is fundamentally flawed.
According to U.S. Census data, Texas is home to one of the fastest-growing Indian American populations in the country, particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston metropolitan areas. Many individuals from this community are employed in engineering, healthcare, and information technology—industries that state leaders have long touted as vital to economic growth.
Business groups have also pushed back against Reitz’s characterization of corporate hiring practices. They argue that programs like H-1B are federally regulated and are often utilized when qualified domestic workers are in short supply. A spokesperson for a statewide technology association stated, “Texas’ economic success has been built on attracting talent from around the world. Vilifying companies and workers alike sends the wrong signal.”
The timing of Reitz’s post is particularly notable, as immigration remains a central issue in Texas politics, especially along the U.S.-Mexico border, where Republican leaders are focused on illegal crossings and border security. Critics contend that shifting the focus to legal immigrants risks undermining this message by fostering cultural resentment.
Despite the backlash, Reitz has not issued an apology or clarification. Instead, he has doubled down on his broader argument that immigration policy should prioritize American workers and national identity. As the race for attorney general heats up, this controversy highlights the ongoing collision of immigration, corporate power, and cultural change within Texas’ political landscape.
The situation continues to evolve, and the implications of Reitz’s comments may resonate throughout the campaign and beyond, as discussions about immigration and its impact on local communities remain at the forefront of Texas politics, according to The American Bazaar.