Kamal Ghorui
Texas governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday ordered state agencies and public universities to halt new H-1B visa hiring.This marks a major setback for foreign professionals seeking to work in US, especially in the Red state.In a letter sent to agency heads, Abbott directed all state bodies to immediately freeze new H-1B petitions, citing ‘abuse’ of the visa programme. The freeze will remain in place until May 31, 2027, with limited exceptions requiring written approval from the Texas Workforce Commission.Also read | ‘Absolutely pathetic’: Indian-American group says H-1B visa stamping delay is ‘100% targeting’ of those who were already vetted
Abbott said he will work to ensure that only Americans get American jobs in his 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 also instructed agencies and universities to submit detailed reports by March 27, 2026. These must include 1) How many new and renewal H-1B petitions were filed in 2025, 2) How many visa holders are currently sponsored, their job roles, and their countries of origin.Abbott doubled down on his position in a post on X: “Texas taxpayers invest billions to train our workforce; those jobs should go to Texans.” Before his announcement, Abbott had also demanded full list of H1-B employees working in Texas universities and public schools (Kindergarten to 12th grade) and saying “we want to make sure our communities are not having people come in and take jobs that Texans could easily fill.”Also read | Interview slots for H-1B visas now only in 2027
Why the H1-B is targeted?
The H-1B visa programme allows US employers to hire highly skilled foreign workers in specialised roles, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Nationally, the programme issues 65,000 visas each year, with an additional 20,000 reserved for applicants with advanced degrees. Visas are typically granted for three to six years. These positions are highly occupied by Indians specially in the defence and tech sector. MAGA base accuses Indians of stealing jobs from Americans and working at a much cheaper salary. Texas has the second-highest number of H-1B visa holders in the country after California. As of 2025, more than 40,000 workers were approved to work for over 6,100 employers in the state, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data. At least 1,200 H-1B visa holders are employed across Texas public universities, including the University of Texas system, Texas A&M University and Texas Tech.Major private employers of H-1B workers in Texas include technology and IT firms such as Oracle and Tesla.
How the visa issue divided MAGA base
The move comes amid more changes to the H-1B system under President Donald Trump’s second administration. In September, Trump imposed a $100,000 one-time fee for new H-1B visa applicants, a 10x increase from previous costs. The administration also introduced social media screening and digital footprint regarding ‘anti-American’ evidence about any applicant. Immigration lawyers warned employees to avoid international travel. Meanwhile, employees stuck outside the US requested mobile work from their employers. Latest H-1B applications have been pushed to 2027 due to visa interview backlogs at US consulates in India.The Republican ‘America First’ base claims the H1-B programme has been misused to replace American workers and the issue has divided conservatives. Some business leaders, including Elon Musk, have argued the US must continue to attract the best foreign talent to remain competitive. While former Congresswoman and MAGA bigwig Marjorie Taylor Greene has called for the total barring of H1-B visas.
