Recent social media incident involving Bo French, a Republican candidate, who criticized the University of Texas at Austin (UT) for purportedly prioritizing foreign students over Texans. The piece further evaluates the implications of such comments and the broader themes regarding immigration and diversity in Texas.
1. Bo French's Statement: French posted a photo of Indian American students cheering for the Texas Longhorns, claiming that Texas families are being denied access to UT because of foreign student admissions. He suggested that the situation is worse than expected.
2. Misrepresentation of Data: The article points out that over 80% of UT’s undergraduate students are Texas residents, with only about 10% from outside the state and around 4% being foreign students, which reflects national averages. French's generalization about the students' ethnicity suggests a bias against diversity.
3. Understanding of "Texan": The article critiques French’s view that equates being 'Texan' with being 'white,' stating that this perspective is misleading and harmful.
4. Educational Achievement among Indian Americans: The piece highlights that Indian Americans have high educational attainment, with a significant percentage achieving bachelor’s and advanced degrees. Their success is noted to be achieved largely without government aid.
5. Concerns about Immigration: While there are legitimate concerns about immigration policy, the article argues that criticism should not be focused on ethnicity or skin color but rather on individuals' ability to assimilate and contribute positively to society.
6. Economic Contributions: The high median income and low crime rates among Indian American households are highlighted as indicators of the contributions that immigrants can make to the economy.
7. Immigration Policies: The article suggests that if immigration is to continue, it should focus on individuals who can successfully integrate into American culture, rather than allowing prejudice to dictate policy.
The discussion reflects a tension between embracing diversity and the fear of cultural dilution. It argues against using ethnicity as a criterion for labeling immigrants and urges a recognition of the positive contributions that many immigrant groups, particularly Indian Americans, have made to American society. The piece concludes that successful immigration relies on mutual respect for culture and identity while fostering an inclusive American civic identity.
https://pjmedia.com/davidhasanyi/2026/09/18/the-right-kind-of-immigrants-n4957399
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