‘H-1B is something I have no control of’: Indian-origin Frisco councilman Burt Thakur on why he has Indian donors

Burt Thakur, the first ever Indian-American in the Frisco City Council, broke his silence over the recent H-1B questions the council, specifically Thakur himself, faced at a meeting. A video of activist Marc Palasciano asking the mayor and the council members why they have donors with Indian surnames and those who do not live in Frisco went viral. Marc asked why so many Indians with their addresses elsewhere donated to their campaigns if they are not getting something return. The question also shed light on the ‘Texas takeover by H-1B’ — a viral issue on social media. Speaking with The Dallas Express, Thakur said he who was elected to the council in 2025 has no authority over H-1B. “H-1B is something that I have no control of,” Thakur said. “That’s a USCIS issue. That’s a federal government [responsibility].”Thakur added that he would welcome scrutiny if wrongdoing exists. “I really would have no problem with any federal agency coming in and doing an audit,” Thakur said. “And if things are found that are illegal … I’ll be the first supporter and the biggest supporter of those agencies coming in and being able to do their job.”According to the USCIS database, the Frisco council does not directly employ any H-1B workers. On Indian donors, Thakur said he was very proud of his donors and asserted that donations do not mean control or influence in the administration. He said he did not vet donors based on immigration status or business visa usage as he, as a local candidate, did not have access to such data. “If people have done stuff legally … it’s something that is their right to do,” he said, adding that it is offensive to suggest that the very presence of Indian residents itself is problematic. “Please, feel free to tell me what percentage of the population is allowed to be Indian,” Thakur said.