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Texas Governor Halts H-1B Visa Applications at State Universities and Agencies
Governor Greg Abbott has ordered Texas universities and state agencies to suspend new H-1B visa petitions until 2027, sparking debate about foreign worker programs in one of the nation’s largest employment markets for skilled international talent.
The executive action, announced Tuesday, freezes new visa applications until May 31, 2027, unless specifically approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. The governor framed the decision as protecting opportunities for Texans.
“State government must lead by example and ensure that employment opportunities — particularly those funded with taxpayer dollars — are filled by Texans first,” Abbott stated in his announcement letter.
The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals with specialized skills for positions that are difficult to fill domestically. The visa category has become particularly vital in technical fields, with federal data showing roughly 60% of approved visas since 2012 have been for computer-related positions.
Critics of the program, including Abbott, argue it has evolved into a mechanism for importing lower-paid workers at the expense of qualified Americans. The governor has instructed state entities to provide comprehensive information about their current visa holders, including documentation showing efforts were made to hire qualified Texas candidates before bringing in foreign workers.
Meanwhile, program defenders warn the pause could exacerbate staffing challenges at critical institutions. Representative Ramon Romero Jr., Democrat and chairman of Texas Mexican American Legislative Caucus, voiced strong opposition to the governor’s action.
“Freezing those pathways makes it harder to staff classrooms, research centers, and hospitals across our state, raising costs, straining public services, and hurting Texans in every corner of our state,” Romero said in a statement. He characterized H-1B visa holders as “Texans in every way that matters” who “work hard, follow the rules and contribute to our economy.”
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas currently employs the largest number of H-1B visa holders among state institutions with 228, according to U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services data. Other major employers include Texas A&M University (214), UT MD Anderson Cancer Center (171), University of Texas at Austin (169), and Texas Tech University (143).
Abbott’s action aligns with broader Republican efforts to restrict the program. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has advocated for reducing H-1B hiring, claiming program misuse, with Florida’s university system board scheduled to discuss its own visa pause this week.
The Trump administration has also taken aim at the program. Last year, President Trump implemented a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas, a move currently facing legal challenges. Trump has signaled further restrictions should he return to office.
Created by the 1990 Immigration Act, H-1B visas grant three-year work authorization, renewable for an additional three years. The program has an annual cap of 65,000 new visas, plus 20,000 for individuals with advanced degrees, though universities and nonprofits are exempt from these limits.
While public institutions will feel the immediate impact of Abbott’s order, the private sector remains unaffected. Nationally, technology giants lead H-1B utilization, with Amazon receiving approval for more than 10,000 visas last year, followed by Tata Consultancy Services, Microsoft, Apple, and Google. In Texas, the multinational IT firm Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation employs the most H-1B holders with 3,172.
The governor indicated the pause will provide time for state lawmakers to establish “statutory guardrails” for the visa program while allowing federal reforms to take shape. The action represents one of the most significant state-level challenges to the visa program in recent years, potentially signaling similar moves in other Republican-led states.
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7 Comments
This is a controversial move by the Texas governor. While protecting local jobs is understandable, the H-1B program plays an important role in filling critical skills gaps. It will be interesting to see how this impacts Texas’ tech and research sectors.
Agreed. The H-1B program has its pros and cons, and reasonable people can disagree on the right approach. It’s a complex issue without easy solutions.
This is an interesting development in the ongoing debate around H-1B visas and foreign talent. I wonder how it will affect Texas’ ability to attract top technical and research talent in the coming years.
I’m curious to see how this unfolds. On one hand, the governor wants to prioritize Texans, but the H-1B program also fuels innovation and competitiveness. It’s a tricky balance to strike.
Good point. There are valid arguments on both sides. It will be important to monitor the impacts, both intended and unintended, of this policy change.
The H-1B visa program is a complex issue without easy answers. I’m curious to see how this decision by the Texas governor plays out and what the broader implications might be for the state’s economy and workforce.
While I understand the governor’s desire to protect local jobs, the H-1B program plays a vital role in addressing skills shortages, especially in STEM fields. I hope a balanced approach can be found that serves the needs of both Texas workers and employers.