Texas Governor Orders Halt on New H-1B Visa Petitions for State Public Universities

By Jim Mishler

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed public universities and state agencies to immediately cease new H-1B visa petitions, expanding oversight of foreign workers employed by taxpayer-funded institutions. The move aims to safeguard employment opportunities for U.S. citizens who are residents of Texas.

“State government must lead by example and ensure that employment opportunities, particularly those funded with taxpayer dollars, are filled by Texans first,” Abbott stated.

Texas lawmakers convene in regular session every two years, with the most recent session concluding in 2025 and the next scheduled to begin in January 2027 and adjourn on May 31, 2027. Under the directive, agencies and universities are prohibited from initiating or filing new H-1B visa applications without prior written approval from the Texas Workforce Commission through the end of this legislative session.

Abbott also mandated that institutions submit detailed reports to the commission, including the number of H-1B petitions filed or renewed in 2025, current visa holders, job titles, countries of origin, and visa expiration dates. Additionally, agencies and universities must document efforts made to provide qualified Texans with reasonable opportunities to apply for positions typically filled by H-1B visa holders.

The governor previewed the action during a radio interview on Monday, noting that the state had requested visa data from public schools and universities ahead of taking enforcement steps after reviewing the information. “I don’t see any reason why we need any H-1B visa employees in our public schools in the state of Texas,” Abbott remarked, adding that exceptions might apply for unique skill sets.

Abbott also indicated some visa holders could have overstayed their legal status, referencing enforcement priorities under former President Donald Trump. Reports indicate Abbott’s office recently requested H-1B employment data from Texas A&M University System leaders.

The request followed reporting that Texas A&M spent approximately $3.25 million on H-1B sponsorships and related costs over five years, compared with about $1.1 million by the University of Texas at Dallas during a similar period.

H-1B visas enable employers to hire foreign workers for specialized positions requiring at least a bachelor’s degree and are frequently utilized by universities and academic medical centers to recruit professors, researchers, and physicians. Federal data show the Dallas Independent School District employed 230 H-1B visa holders as of September 30, 2025, followed by UT Southwestern Medical Center with 220 and Texas A&M University with 210.

Texas A&M University System confirmed compliance with the directive and had already suspended certain new H-1B petitions following a federal fee increase implemented last year. Higher education advocates have cautioned that limiting international faculty and researchers could hinder research and innovation statewide.