In a significant policy shift affecting foreign professionals, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a directive on Tuesday ordering all state agencies and public universities to immediately halt new H-1B visa hiring. This move represents a major setback for international workers seeking employment opportunities in the United States, particularly within this influential Red state.
Immediate Freeze on H-1B Petitions
Through an official letter sent to agency heads, Governor Abbott mandated a comprehensive freeze on new H-1B visa petitions across all state bodies. The governor cited concerns about "abuse" within the federal visa program as justification for this drastic measure. This hiring freeze will remain in effect until May 31, 2027, with only limited exceptions requiring written approval from the Texas Workforce Commission.
"American Jobs for American Workers"
Governor Abbott reinforced his position with a clear statement: "In light of recent reports of abuse in the federal H-1B visa program, and amid the federal government's ongoing review of that program to ensure American jobs are going to American workers, I am directing all state agencies to immediately freeze new H-1B visa petitions."
The governor further emphasized this stance on social media platform X, declaring: "Texas taxpayers invest billions to train our workforce; those jobs should go to Texans." He added that Texas represents the strongest economic engine in America and intends to maintain that status through this policy.
Comprehensive Reporting Requirements
As part of this directive, Governor Abbott has instructed all affected agencies and universities to submit detailed reports by March 27, 2026. These mandatory reports must include:
- The total number of new and renewal H-1B petitions filed during 2025
- Current counts of visa holders being sponsored, along with their specific job roles and countries of origin
Prior to this announcement, Abbott had already demanded a complete list of H-1B employees working within Texas universities and public schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. He explained this request by stating: "We want to make sure our communities are not having people come in and take jobs that Texans could easily fill."
Understanding the H-1B Visa Program
The H-1B visa program enables U.S. employers to hire highly skilled foreign workers for specialized positions, particularly within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Nationally, the program allocates 65,000 visas annually, with an additional 20,000 reserved for applicants holding advanced degrees. These visas typically grant three to six years of employment authorization.
Indian professionals have historically occupied a significant portion of these positions, especially within defense and technology sectors. Critics from the MAGA base frequently accuse Indian workers of displacing American jobs while accepting lower salaries. Texas maintains the second-highest concentration of H-1B visa holders nationwide, trailing only California.
Texas Employment Statistics
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data from 2025, more than 40,000 H-1B workers were approved for employment across over 6,100 Texas employers. Within the state's public university system—including institutions like the University of Texas, Texas A&M University, and Texas Tech—approximately 1,200 H-1B visa holders are currently employed. Major private sector employers of H-1B workers in Texas include prominent technology firms such as Oracle and Tesla.
Broader Immigration Policy Context
This Texas directive emerges amid broader changes to the H-1B system under President Donald Trump's second administration. In September, the Trump administration implemented a substantial $100,000 one-time fee for new H-1B visa applicants—representing a tenfold increase from previous costs. Additional measures introduced include social media screening and digital footprint analysis to identify potential "anti-American" evidence among applicants.
Immigration attorneys have consequently advised employees to avoid international travel, while workers stranded outside the United States have requested remote work arrangements from their employers. Due to significant visa interview backlogs at U.S. consulates in India, the latest H-1B applications have been postponed until 2027.
Political Divisions Within Conservative Circles
The H-1B program has created notable divisions within conservative political circles. The Republican "America First" base contends that the program has been systematically misused to replace American workers with foreign labor. This perspective has sparked internal debates among conservatives regarding immigration and employment policies.
Some prominent business leaders, including Elon Musk, have advocated for continued access to international talent, arguing that attracting the world's best professionals remains essential for maintaining American competitiveness. Conversely, former Congresswoman and MAGA figure Marjorie Taylor Greene has called for completely barring H-1B visas, reflecting the polarized nature of this issue within political discourse.
