Dallas, TX, USA: Texas Businessman Faces Backlash, Loses Gym Membership and Church Affiliation After Anti-H-1B Comments on Ganesh Chaturthi Event
A coffee shop owner in Texas is under intense criticism after sharing a video online denouncing Indian immigrants and advocating for an end to the H-1B visa program.
Daniel Keene, 30, who runs Boundaries Coffee in a Dallas suburb, uploaded a video to X (formerly known as Twitter) in early September featuring a local Ganesh Chaturthi procession. Accompanying the clip, he wrote: “We have to cancel the H-1Bs. I want my kids to grow up in America. Not India.”
The post, which was later removed, rapidly went viral, sparking outrage among the Indian American community and others. Many accused Keene of xenophobia and cultural insensitivity, while some defended his freedom to voice political opinions.
The repercussions were immediate and significant. Keene reported losing roughly $8,000 in revenue over two weeks following the post, and a potential employee withdrew their job application. Review platforms like Yelp were inundated with negative feedback, and online campaigns calling for boycotts targeted his coffee shops.
The fallout extended into his personal life as well. CrossFit Prosper, where Keene held a membership, cancelled his account, stating that his public remarks conflicted with their inclusivity standards. Additionally, he ended his association with his local church after reportedly tense discussions with church leaders.
Keene told Newsweek that he received threatening emails after the post went viral, including one demanding $20,000 — a claim that has not been independently confirmed.
Despite the criticism, Keene has refused to apologize. “I stand by what I said,” he told the press. “This isn’t about race or religion — it’s about immigration policy and its long-term effects on our country. Just because something is legal doesn’t mean it’s good for America.”
He emphasises that his comments targeted the H-1B visa program and its consequences for American workers, not any particular ethnic group. “We need to have candid discussions about the type of country we want to leave for our children,” he added.
