A North Texas radio station has removed an interview featuring Frisco mayoral candidate Rod Vilhauer and publicly apologized after comments he made about Hispanic residents drew widespread criticism on social media.

The interview, conducted by FunAsia, focused on immigration, workforce development, and the growing influence of Frisco’s Indian-American community. During the discussion, Vilhauer praised the contributions of Indian-American professionals while making remarks that many critics described as dismissive of Hispanic residents’ potential in professional fields.

Speaking about immigration and workforce needs, Vilhauer said Hispanic residents contribute value through their hard work but added that they are “never going to be doctors” or “tech people,” contrasting them with Indian-American professionals, whom he described as having strengths in those areas. The comments quickly circulated online after the interview was published, prompting criticism from community members and leading FunAsia to remove the content from its platforms.

FunAsia Says Interview Was Removed Independently

FunAsia President Farhad Wadia told TX3DNews that the station decided to remove the interview immediately after reviewing Vilhauer’s comments.

According to Wadia, no political campaign, advocacy group, or outside organization requested that the interview be taken down.

“As soon as I saw it, I removed it,” Wadia said. He described the situation as an unintended mistake and emphasized that FunAsia does not endorse the opinions expressed by political candidates appearing on its programs. Wadia noted that both mayoral candidates had purchased advertising on the station and said federal regulations prohibit broadcasters from refusing political advertising based on candidate affiliation.

“We received advertising requests from both candidates who purchased ads on our stations,” Wadia said. “By law, we cannot reject either one.” He added that FunAsia operates primarily as an entertainment and media outlet rather than a political organization and that guest opinions do not reflect the station’s views.

Station Apologizes to Hispanic Residents

Wadia also offered a direct apology to the Hispanic community.

“This is a personal apology from both me and the station to the Hispanic community,” he said. “We never want to hurt anyone. We respect and care about everyone equally.”

He further stressed that FunAsia rejects comments that stereotype or diminish any ethnic group.

“We do not agree with remarks like these about any ethnicity,” Wadia said. “We believe all people are equal.”

Wadia also stated that the station plans to publish an interview with Vilhauer’s opponent and rejected suggestions that FunAsia was favoring either candidate in the Frisco mayoral race.

Remarks Made During Discussion on Immigration and Economic Growth

The controversial comments arose during a broader conversation about legal immigration, H-1B visa programs, and the role skilled workers play in Frisco’s economy.

The interviewer highlighted the contributions of legal immigrants to the city’s workforce, tax base, and economic development and asked Vilhauer how he would support law-abiding residents while keeping Frisco attractive to innovation and talent. In response, Vilhauer praised Indian-American professionals and argued that their expertise is important for industries such as technology and artificial intelligence.

“America needs Indian-American talent,” he said. “We need it.”

He then contrasted that group with Hispanic residents, stating that Hispanics would not become doctors or technology professionals, comments that became the focus of public criticism.

Community Leaders and Residents Respond

Among those criticizing the remarks was Jared Tye, who shared a video clip from the interview on social media.

Tye said it was troubling to hear a mayoral candidate suggest that Hispanic residents are unlikely to succeed in fields such as medicine or technology. He pointed to the many Hispanic Americans who work as physicians, engineers, software developers, educators, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

“Young Hispanic students in Frisco deserve leaders who inspire them to pursue their ambitions and achieve their goals,” Tye wrote, arguing that public officials should encourage opportunity rather than place limits on potential. The discussion also gained attention within Spanish-speaking community groups online. The Facebook group Hispanohablantes, which serves local Spanish-speaking residents, shared the interview clip along with a response from founder Alma Hernandez Juarez.

Educator Says Comments Send the Wrong Message to Students

Hernandez Juarez, an educator and community advocate, said she listened to the remarks several times before responding publicly.

While acknowledging that Vilhauer described Hispanic residents as hardworking and valuable contributors, she argued that such recognition should not be accompanied by assumptions about what members of the community can or cannot achieve. As a first-generation college graduate, Hernandez Juarez said her experience working with students from diverse backgrounds has shown that young people regularly pursue careers in medicine, law, education, business, and technology.

She expressed concern that the comments could be interpreted as limiting the aspirations of Hispanic students and overlooking the contributions Hispanic professionals already make across numerous industries. Hernandez Juarez encouraged young people not to allow others to define their future and urged residents to stay informed about local elections and participate in the democratic process. The controversy continues to generate discussion as Frisco voters evaluate candidates ahead of the mayoral election.