A Texas business owner says his life has been turned upside down after a social media post criticizing H-1B visas led to online harassment, business backlash and ultimately, church discipline.
As first reported by Sebastian Pestritto of The Blaze, Daniel Keene of North Texas posted a short video on X showing an Indian block party that filled an entire suburban street, adding, “We have to cancel the H-1Bs. I want my kids to grow up in America. Not India.”
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The post went viral, and “all hell broke loose,” The Blaze reported. Keene said he and his family were subjected to doxxing, threats, and even an extortion attempt from someone claiming to represent millions of Indian Americans demanding $20,000.
Google later shut down reviews for Keene’s business, Boundaries Coffee, after it was targeted with false reviews and online attacks. His gym, CrossFit Prosper, revoked his membership soon after, citing “core values of inclusivity and respect.” The gym’s owner told him in a text message that “a large part of our community is Indian and inclusivity is central to who we are.”
But Keene said the most painful blow came from his church.
“They Just Hammered Me for Hours”
Leaders of The Trails Church called Keene to confront him about his immigration stance, telling him to repent and labeling his post “uncharitable.” Keene said he deleted the post soon after it went viral but refused to disavow his position.
He told The Blaze that he and his pregnant wife were summoned to a meeting with “all the elders and staff who could be there.” Keene recalled, “They just hammered me for … hours.”
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According to Keene, the elders reviewed three years of his X posts, highlighting two they found “concerning.” When he asked for clarification on what sin he was being accused of, he said the answers shifted. “On one hand, they are saying that the issue is not the position itself; it’s how I expressed it,” he said. “But then we’ve had three hours of phone calls, and they’re just hammering me on the position itself.”
When Keene asked the elders to put his alleged offenses in writing, they refused. He offered to post clarifying messages on X or speak with anyone offended, but said the church leadership demanded an apology and for him to renounce his position on Indian immigration.
“As far as the content, I stand behind it,” he said. “That’s the policy position I stand behind.”
Placed on “Path of Discipline”
Keene said church elders told him he was on “the path of discipline,” which could lead to removal from membership if he refused to repent. He described it as a serious measure within Baptist churches, saying, “They are basically saying, ‘We don’t think you’re a Christian anymore because you haven’t repented of a sin.’”
Soon after, Keene posted a clip from The King’s Hall podcast discussing immigration and asked his followers, “What would get you in more trouble at your church? Significant doctrinal error on the Trinity? Or opposing immigration to the harm of your neighbor?”
The post prompted another summons. This time, elders asked Keene to bring his wife. He refused, saying, “Why would you need to meet with my wife? What does my wife have to do with this?”
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When Keene met with them alone, he said the elders formally asked him to leave the church.
“I knew I was poking the bear a little bit,” Keene admitted, but added he does not regret standing by his position. “What are the values of your church? Are they doctrinal? Scriptural? Or is it public policy with regard to immigration?”
Many are left wondering what this situation says about the modern church. Is the body of Christ called to remove members who differ on political or policy opinions? Or has the line between spiritual accountability and ideological conformity become dangerously blurred? As cultural and political divides are deepening, this episode raises a serious question for every congregation: is this truly what the church is called to do?
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
