Texas Gov. Abbott Suspends H-1B Visas Until 2027, Citing ‘Egregious Schemes’ Against Workers

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday a statewide freeze on new H-1B visa petitions by state agencies and public universities amid growing concerns over potential abuse of the program. The governor cited instances where American workers were reportedly displaced by lower-paid foreign workers as the primary motivation behind the decision.

“In the most egregious schemes, employers have even fired American workers and replaced them with H-1B employees, often at lower wages,” Abbott wrote in his directive. “Rather than serving its intended purpose of attracting the best and brightest individuals from around the world to our nation to fill truly specialized and unmet labor needs, the program has too often been used to fill jobs that otherwise could—and should—have been filled by Texans.”

The temporary ban will remain in effect until May 31, 2027, unless the Texas Workforce Commission provides written approval to resume the program. During this period, state officials will investigate allegations of program misuse and implement reforms.

The H-1B visa program, designed to allow U.S. employers to recruit highly skilled foreign professionals in specialty occupations, has faced mounting scrutiny in recent years. Critics argue the program has evolved from its original intent into a mechanism for companies to reduce labor costs by replacing American workers with foreign nationals willing to accept lower salaries.

Abbott’s order aligns with similar concerns expressed by President Donald Trump, who in September claimed the program has undermined both economic and national security through systematic abuse. Trump signed two executive orders on September 19, establishing the “Trump Gold Card” and introducing a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas, substantially increasing the cost for employers seeking to use the program.

As part of the Texas directive, all state agencies and public universities must submit comprehensive reports to the Texas Workforce Commission by March 27. These reports must detail their H-1B filings, current visa holders, countries of origin, job classifications, visa expiration dates, and efforts to recruit qualified Texas residents for these positions.

The governor emphasized that the pause will allow state and federal officials time to implement necessary reforms while Texas continues investing in education and workforce training programs. These investments aim to develop local talent to meet labor demands without relying on the visa program.

Texas is not alone in its concerns about H-1B visas. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has previously stated that his state “will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions,” signaling a growing trend among conservative-led states to scrutinize foreign worker programs.

The tech industry, a major beneficiary of H-1B visas, may face significant challenges as a result of these restrictions. Many technology companies and research institutions rely heavily on foreign talent, particularly in fields like computer science, engineering, and mathematics. Critics of the visa freeze argue it could hamper innovation and research at public universities and state agencies.

Labor unions and American worker advocacy groups have generally supported such restrictions, arguing that the H-1B program has been exploited by corporations to undercut wages and working conditions for U.S. citizens.

The Texas action represents one of the most significant state-level responses to perceived H-1B abuse and comes amid broader national debates about immigration, labor markets, and the role of foreign workers in the American economy. As the freeze takes effect, its impact on Texas public universities—many of which are major research institutions—and state agencies will be closely monitored by other states considering similar measures.