United States representative for Texas's 22nd congressional district.
Case
Bo French used an image of apparent South Asian UT fans to argue that foreigners were displacing Americans. Critics called the posts racist or xenophobic; French and supporters said they raised a legitimate immigration and admissions dispute.
Role at the time: United States representative speaking to reporters
Statement summary
Nehls said he did not know French and had heard he said unpleasant things, then turned to his own call to close the border for ten years.
“I don’t really know the guy. I heard he said some not so pleasant things. … I am concerned about the number of people living in this country, and we don’t even know who they really are. Shut the border down for 10 years, and then let’s try to figure out who we got in this country because we don’t even know.”
The conduct under scrutiny is French's post. Nehls neither condemns nor defends it, saying only that he heard unpleasant things were said before moving to an immigration argument. Politico groups him with Republicans less willing to fully denounce the comments.
Statement dates: September 15, 2026
Statement dates: September 15, 2026
Statement dates: September 15, 2026
