By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews
A local radio station has removed an interview with Frisco mayoral candidate Rod Vilhauer and issued a public apology after comments he made about Hispanic residents sparked criticism online.
The remarks were made during a FunAsia interview focused on immigration, workforce development, and Frisco’s growing Indian-American community.
While discussing skilled immigration and the contributions of Indian-American professionals, Vilhauer stated:
“It’s no different than the Hispanic people that are here. They bring value. They’re hard workers. They’re never going to be doctors and they’re never going to be tech people. The Indian American people are, that’s where their strengths are.”
The comments quickly spread online after the interview was posted, drawing criticism from residents and ultimately leading FunAsia to remove the interview from its platforms.
Station Says It Removed Interview Over Remarks
In an interview with TX3DNews, FunAsia President Farhad Wadia said the station removed the interview after reviewing Vilhauer’s comments.
Wadia said no outside group, campaign, or political organization requested the interview’s removal.
“The minute I saw this, I took it down,” Wadia said.
Wadia described the situation as “a genuine mistake” and said FunAsia does not endorse the views expressed by political candidates who appear on its platforms.
“We received advertising requests from both candidates who bought advertising on our stations,” Wadia said. “By law, we cannot refuse either.”
Wadia said the station views itself as an entertainment and media platform rather than a political organization and maintains a policy that candidates’ views are their own.
He also issued a direct apology to the Hispanic community.
“It’s a personal apology from me and the station out to the Hispanic community,” Wadia said. “We have no desire to hurt anyone. We respect and love everyone the same.”
Wadia further emphasized that the station does not share or endorse the views expressed in the comments.
“We as a radio station do not agree one bit with any such comments about any ethnicities as we believe every one of God’s children is created equal,” he said.
Wadia said FunAsia plans to publish an interview with Vilhauer’s opponent and denied the station was favoring either candidate.
Comments Came During Immigration Discussion
The remarks came during a discussion about legal immigration, H-1B visas, and the role highly skilled workers play in Frisco’s economy.
The interviewer noted that Frisco is home to many highly skilled professionals, including legal immigrants who contribute to the local economy, workforce, and tax base, and asked how Vilhauer would support law-abiding residents while ensuring Frisco remains attractive to talent, innovation, and economic growth.
Vilhauer praised Indian-American professionals and argued that America needs their expertise in fields such as technology and artificial intelligence.
“American needs the Indian-American talent. We need it,” he said.
Vilhauer then contrasted Indian-American professionals with Hispanic residents, stating that Hispanics are “never going to be doctors” and “never going to be tech people.”
Criticism Follows Online
Among those criticizing the comments was Jared Tye, who shared a clip from the interview on social media.
“It is deeply upsetting to hear a mayoral candidate suggest that Hispanics will never be doctors or technology professionals,” Tye wrote.
Tye pointed to the contributions Hispanic Americans make as physicians, engineers, software developers, educators, business owners, and innovators.
“Young Hispanic students in Frisco deserve leaders who encourage them to dream big and reach their full potential—not rhetoric that tells them what they cannot become,” he wrote.
The discussion also spread to Hispanic-focused social media groups. Hispanohablantes, a Facebook group serving Spanish-speaking residents, shared a clip of the interview along with a response from founder Alma Hernandez Juarez.
Hernandez Juarez, an educator and community leader, said she listened to the clip multiple times before commenting and struggled to find a positive interpretation of the remarks. While acknowledging Vilhauer’s recognition of Hispanic residents as hard-working and valuable contributors, she argued that those qualities should not be used to limit what members of the community can become.
Hernandez Juarez, who described herself as a first-generation college graduate, said her perspective comes from working every day with students from diverse backgrounds and helping them pursue careers in fields such as medicine, law, business, education, and technology. She said her concern was not simply the recognition that Hispanics are hardworking people, but what she viewed as an implication that the community’s potential is limited.
She wrote that Hispanic residents already contribute across a wide range of professions and industries and emphasized that young people should not allow others to define their potential. Hernandez Juarez added that it is important for students to hear messages that expand their possibilities rather than limit them and encouraged residents to become informed about the election and participate in the voting process.
Campaign Asked To Clarify Remarks
TX3DNews has contacted Vilhauer and his campaign for comment. Any response received will be added to this story.
The issue surfaced during the final days of Frisco’s mayoral runoff election. Early voting continues through June 9, with Election Day set for June 13.