Texas Orders Statewide Freeze on New H-1B Visa Petitions, Citing Jobs Priority for Texans

Washington, Jan 2026 : Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered an immediate freeze on all new H-1B visa petitions filed by Texas state agencies and public universities, marking one of the most far-reaching state-level actions against the use of the federal work visa program in public institutions. The move, announced on Tuesday, is aimed at reviewing what the governor’s office described as potential misuse of the program and ensuring that taxpayer-funded jobs primarily benefit Texas residents.

In a formal letter issued on January 27 to heads of state agencies, public universities, and higher education institutions, Abbott directed that no new H-1B visa applications be initiated until further notice. The freeze will remain in effect unless written approval is granted by the Texas Workforce Commission and will extend through the end of the Texas Legislature’s 90th Regular Session on May 31, 2027.

“The economy of Texas should work for the benefit of Texas workers and Texas employers,” Abbott wrote. He emphasized that positions funded by state taxpayers should, whenever possible, be filled by qualified Texans rather than foreign workers sponsored through federal visa programs.

The governor said the decision was taken in light of “recent reports of abuse” in the H-1B visa system and amid a broader federal review of the program. While acknowledging that H-1B visas are administered entirely by the federal government, Abbott said Texas has a responsibility to scrutinize how state funds are being used when public agencies and institutions employ H-1B workers.

Under the directive, all state agencies led by gubernatorial appointees and all public institutions of higher education must halt the initiation of new H-1B petitions. Additionally, Abbott has instructed these entities to submit detailed reports by March 27, 2026. These reports must outline the number of H-1B workers currently sponsored, the job classifications they occupy, their countries of origin, and documentation demonstrating efforts made to recruit qualified Texas residents before turning to foreign labor.

Abbott said the review period would allow state lawmakers time to consider and establish what he described as “statutory guardrails” governing the future use of federal visa programs in taxpayer-funded employment. He also noted that the pause aligns with ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to reassess employment-based immigration programs nationwide.

The governor’s action follows remarks he made a day earlier during an interview on a Dallas-based radio program. During that appearance, Abbott questioned the necessity of employing H-1B visa holders in public education institutions across the state. “What job is it in our public schools in the State of Texas that these H-1B visa personnel are fulfilling that we can’t fulfill here in our own public schools?” he asked. He went on to say that he saw no compelling reason for the use of H-1B employees in Texas public schools.

Abbott reiterated that while immigration policy itself falls under federal jurisdiction, the state is examining the extent to which taxpayer dollars are being used to pay salaries of H-1B workers in public institutions. “This is a federal program, only a federal program. It’s not a state program,” he said, while adding that state oversight becomes relevant when public funding is involved.

In his letter, the governor cited President Donald Trump’s earlier proclamations on restricting the entry of certain non-immigrant workers. He stressed that the H-1B program was designed to supplement the American workforce rather than replace it. Abbott alleged that in some instances employers have not made adequate, good-faith efforts to recruit qualified U.S. workers before seeking approval to hire from abroad.

“Instead of bringing in the best and brightest individuals from around the world,” Abbott wrote, “the program has too often been used to fill jobs that otherwise could—and should—have been filled by Texans.”

The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations that typically require advanced degrees or specialized technical skills. It has been widely used by technology companies, healthcare providers, research institutions, and universities, and has long been a focal point of debate in U.S. immigration policy.

Texas’s decision to impose a statewide freeze on new H-1B petitions within public institutions is being viewed as a significant escalation in state involvement in immigration-related employment practices. Supporters of the move argue it protects local workers and ensures responsible use of taxpayer money, while critics caution that it could impact research, healthcare, and specialized academic programs that rely on highly skilled international professionals.

As the review process moves forward, the findings submitted by state agencies and universities are expected to shape future legislation and policy decisions in Texas, potentially setting a precedent for how other states approach the use of federal work visas in publicly funded roles.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)