3 things to know about the Austin mass shooting suspect, possible terror ties

3. Texas House Republicans propose immigration freeze

Following the mass shooting in downtown Austin on Sunday, over 70 Texas House Republicans signed a letter on Monday to congressional leaders, calling for a pause on all immigration into the country.

“The time for deliberation has passed. The American people — and the people of Texas — demand immigration policies that place the safety and welfare of Americans first,” the letter stated. 

In the letter, the lawmakers listed several demands, including a pause on immigration until “proper vetting protocols” are established. The lawmakers also called for Congress to “enact an immediate freeze on all new H-1B visa issuances” until a “comprehensive audit of existing visa holders and their current status is completed.”

Multiple news reports have confirmed from DHS that Diagne arrived in the U.S. on March 13, 2000, on a B-2 tourist visa.

In 2006, Diagne became a lawful permanent resident and received an IR-6 visa after marrying a U.S. citizen, the DHS said. Diagne and his first wife divorced in 2008, and he was later naturalized as a U.S. citizen in April 2013, less than six months after marrying his second wife. 

According to Bexar County court records cited by KXAN, the shooter’s second wife eventually filed for divorce, which was finalized in September 2022. Diagne’s second wife accused him of “cruel treatment,” and a judge determined Diagne had “a history or pattern of committing family violence” during the previous two years. 

Diagne was also allowed supervised visits with his children and was required to pay child support.

Court records also show that Diagne denied the allegations, claiming that his then-wife took their children out of school without his consent and refused to let him see them, which he said was “emotionally damaging.”

After his second divorce was finalized, he remarried a third woman in Travis County, according to KXAN.