Texas Governor Orders State Agencies, Universities to Pause New H-1B Visa Petitions

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered state agencies and public universities to halt new H-1B visa petitions until next year, as part of a broader review of the foreign worker program.

The pause, announced Tuesday, applies to state agencies led by gubernatorially appointed heads and public universities. It is scheduled to remain in effect until May 31, 2027, though exceptions may be granted by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Texas is home to tens of thousands of H-1B visa holders. The move comes amid efforts by the Trump administration to reshape the program, which allows US employers to hire foreign workers with specialised skills.

Critics argue that the program has been misused to hire lower-paid overseas workers at the expense of American jobs, while supporters say it is essential for attracting global talent and filling specialised roles.

Abbott said the freeze would give lawmakers time to establish legal safeguards and allow federal authorities to implement reforms aimed at preventing abuse of the visa system.

He also directed agencies and universities to submit detailed information on their use of H-1B visas, including the number of petitions filed, current visa holders, job titles, countries of origin, and expiration dates. Employers were also asked to show efforts to recruit qualified Texans for the positions.

“State government must lead by example and ensure that employment opportunities funded by taxpayers are filled by Texans first,” Abbott said in a letter.

Data from US Citizenship and Immigration Services show that the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas currently has the highest number of H-1B holders among public institutions in the state, followed by Texas A&M University, MD Anderson Cancer Center, the University of Texas at Austin, and Texas Tech University.

Nationally, at least 60% of H-1B visas approved since 2012 have been for computer-related jobs, according to the Pew Research Center. Major recipients in recent years include Amazon, Tata Consultancy Services, Microsoft, Apple, and Google.

Abbott’s move follows similar actions by other Republican governors. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has also criticised the program, and Florida’s university system is considering a pause on new H-1B hires.

The H-1B visa program, created under the 1990 Immigration Act, allows companies to employ highly skilled foreign workers for up to six years. Annual issuances are capped at 65,000 visas, with an additional 20,000 reserved for applicants with advanced degrees, though some employers are exempt.