Texas Governor Freezes H-1B Visa Applications
On Tuesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott instructed state officials and universities to halt all H-1B visa applications immediately. In a letter addressed to key state leaders, he emphasized that the Texas economy should prioritize “the benefit of Texas workers and Texas employers.” Abbott pointed to “recent reports of abuse” concerning the program and mentioned an ongoing federal review.
The letter specified that, “No state agency or public institution of higher education under the jurisdiction of a governor-appointed chief shall initiate or submit a new petition for sponsorship of nonimmigrant workers under the federal H-1B visa program until the conclusion of the 90th regular session of the Texas Legislature on May 31, 2027, without the written permission of the Texas Labor Relations Commission.”
Moreover, Abbott mandated state agencies to provide a report to the Texas Workforce Commission by March 27, 2026. This report is to include details on the number of current H-1B visa holders, their countries of origin, and documentation showing attempts to offer qualified Texans the chance to apply for jobs occupied by H-1B visa holders.
Abbott criticized the H-1B program for straying from its intended purpose, stating that instead of attracting top global talent to meet specialized labor needs, it often replaces positions that could be filled by Texans. He reiterated this sentiment in a post, asserting that “Texans come first,” highlighting a commitment to prioritizing local job seekers over foreign workers.
Notably, Abbott is the first governor in the U.S. to enforce a statewide freeze on H-1B petitions. If enacted at their upcoming meeting on January 28, Florida’s university system might face similar restrictions.
In fiscal year 2025, Texas approved over 40,000 H-1B visa applications, making it the second-highest state for approvals after California, which surpassed 80,000. The governor’s directive follows a federal court ruling in December 2025 that allowed former President Trump to implement a significant fee increase for new H-1B applications. Trump’s previous assertions pointed to the program being misused to replace American workers with lower-cost labor.
