Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has announced that the state is implementing an immediate injunction to freeze new H-1B visa petitions, targeting all state agencies and public universities. The state will launch a comprehensive review of current H-1B visa program use, citing federal reports of abuse in the program.
Texas is following suit in the federal government’s efforts to bring more jobs to American citizens, according to state officials in the governor’s office.
The governor released three key directives included as cornerstone components of the H-1B visa program going for. These include:
- No state agency controlled by a gubernatorially appointed head or public institution of higher education shall, without the written permission of the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), initiate or file any new petition to sponsor a nonimmigrant worker under the federal H-1B visa program until the end of the Texas Legislature’s 90th Regular Session on May 31, 2027.
- All state agencies controlled by a gubernatorially appointed head and public institutions of higher education shall, by March 27, 2026, provide the TWC with a report identifying:
- How many new and renewal petitions the entity submitted for H-1B visas in 2025.
- How many H-1B visa holders the entity currently sponsors.
- The countries of origin of all H-1B visa holders the entity currently sponsors.
- Job classifications and descriptions for each visa holder the entity currently sponsors.
- The anticipated expiration date for each visa holder the entity currently sponsors.
- Documentation demonstrating efforts to provide qualified Texas candidates with a reasonable opportunity to apply for each position filled by a H-1B visa holder before a new petition is submitted for that position.
- The TWC shall issue any guidance necessary to effectuate these directives.
The H-1B visa program was established to supplement the nation’s skilled workforce with nonimmigrant workers. These employees are hired as fashion models of distinguished merit and ability or in specialty occupations where specialized knowledge and a required level of higher education is required. The program was intended to provide employers with the leeway needed to source needed business skills and abilities that are otherwise unavailable in the American workforce on a temporary basis.
On Sept. 19, 2025, the president issued the Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, limiting the issuance of these visas to all save for applicants who paid $100,000. The Presidential Proclamation was made in response to alleged abuse and exploitation of the system.
Texas’ freeze is expected to last through May 2027, with exceptions only being given by those that provide written permission from the TWC.
Photo by Andrew Patrick Photo from Pexels
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