Kamal Ghorui
US podcaster and influencer Kyle Seraphin called out Texas Governor Greg Abbott for his H-1B crackdown in Texas, not because he does not support it but as it does not serve the purpose now. Seraphin said it is too late and too little to freeze H-1B hiring in state agencies and universities after what Abbott did in 2024. H-1Bs came to Texas, set up shop, had babies and took over neighborhoods, Kyle said targeting Indians — though H-1Bs can be from any countries. “I was wondering why Texas imported so many Indians. This makes more sense. Gov Abbott just froze new H1Bs in Texas… too late. They came here, set up shop, had babies, took over neighborhoods, and brought whatever their culture is with them,” Seraphin posted, reminding Abbott of his 2024 visit to India funded by Texas Economic Development Corporation. In 2024, Abbott indeed championed strong Texas-India economic partnership and went to New Delhi. “Texas and India are two places—and two people—who both share an independent streak and a desire to make our mark on the world,” said Governor Abbott. “Each of us sits in a critical location—India, with China and Russia on their doorsteps, and Texas at the nexus of the United States and Latin America. We share the common values of family, faith, compassion, and hard work. As we look towards the future, we must ensure that the next generation of leaders in Texas and India will be the innovators who solve the world’s foremost crises and that embracing the values we share leads to liberty and prosperity unmatched throughout the entire world,” Abbott said at the event as he highlighted the investment of Indian companies in Texas. Over $1.4 billion in capital was invested by Indian companies over the last decade through 59 projects, creating more than 10,300 good-paying jobs in Texas, Abbott said at that time. Over 542,000 Indians call Texas home, he added.
H-1B crackdown in Texas
Abbott announced a freeze in H-1B hiring in state agencies and universities. This would impact the medical field, experts expressed concerns but the freeze would be in place for a year. There would be no H1-B extension of the existing employees also. But the governor has no jurisdiction on private entities and hence they are exempt from this freezeBut private entities are not above investigation. Texas attorney general Ken Paxton announced investigation into three firms which employed H-1Bs; asked them to send details of all those who work there and what they do. The investigation was triggered by Texas journalist Sara Gonzales’ alleged expose video in which she visited official addresses of H-1B entities but found no operations.
