By Trendsetter Tribune 
Recent comments by Texas Congressman Brandon Gill have reignited a fierce debate over demographic shifts and religious freedom in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Speaking with Real America’s Voice on February 6, 2026, Gill claimed his constituents are “desperately concerned” about what he termed the “Islamization” of North Texas.
The “Pakistan” Comparison and Online Fallout
Gill sparked significant controversy by stating that visiting local malls in the Dallas area now “feels like you’re in Pakistan, not Dallas, Texas.” He framed these changes as a “fundamental transformation” of Texas culture, later posting on social media that “mass Islamic migration is killing the America we know and love.”+1
The remarks drew immediate and polarized reactions:
- Supporters echoed his concerns regarding cultural assimilation and rapid urban change.
- Critics labeled the comments “xenophobic” and “Islamophobic,” pointing out that Gill’s own wife, Danielle D’Souza Gill, is of Indian heritage—a fact many used to highlight the perceived irony of his targeting South Asian demographics.
- Community Members: Dr. Hasham Sarwar, a Pakistani-origin physician, responded by sharing a photo of Gill posing with Pakistani-American donors during a campaign event, calling the Congressman’s current rhetoric “hypocritical.”
The Battle Over “The Meadow” (Formerly EPIC City)
At the heart of Gill’s remarks is the ongoing legal saga of the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) and its proposed 400-acre housing development in Collin County, recently renamed “The Meadow.”
| Entity/Agency | Action/Status (as of Feb 2026) |
| U.S. Dept. of Justice | Closed its civil rights probe in June 2025; found no evidence of discrimination. |
| TX Workforce Commission | Resolved fair housing allegations in Sept 2025; developers agreed to non-discriminatory marketing. |
| TX Securities Board | Stated in Jan 2026 that actions did not constitute fraud under state law. |
| AG Ken Paxton | Active Lawsuit: Filed Dec 2025, accusing the project of “securities fraud” despite the Securities Board’s findings. |
Despite several state and federal investigations closing without charges, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recently listed “preventing Sharia law in Texas” as a top priority for the 2027 legislative session, specifically tasking senators to scrutinize the EPIC project.
Broader Rise in Anti-Muslim Rhetoric
Gill’s comments are part of a wider trend in Texas politics this month:
- CAIR Lawsuit: On February 5, 2026, Attorney General Ken Paxton sued to shut down the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Texas, attempting to have the civil rights group declared a “foreign terrorist organization.” CAIR has dismissed the suit as a “frivolous publicity stunt” and a violation of the First Amendment.
- Sharia Free America Caucus: Gill has officially joined this new congressional caucus, which argues that Islamic law is incompatible with American governing frameworks.
While Texas leaders warn of “cultural displacement,” demographic data shows that the growth of the Pakistani-American community in Dallas—now the fourth largest in the U.S.—is a decades-long trend rooted in the 1965 Immigration Act, rather than a sudden “takeover.”