Additional Coverage:
- Texas Gov Greg Abbott halts H-1B visas through 2027 after ‘egregious schemes’ allegedly displaced workers (foxnews.com)
Texas Halts New H-1B Visas Amidst Abuse Concerns
Austin, TX – Governor Greg Abbott has announced an immediate halt to new H-1B visa petitions by Texas state agencies and public universities. The move comes as the state investigates potential abuses within the program, citing reports of U.S. workers allegedly being displaced by lower-paid foreign labor.
In a letter outlining his decision, Governor Abbott stated, “In the most egregious schemes, employers have even fired American workers and replaced them with H-1B employees, often at lower wages.” He further emphasized that the program, intended to attract specialized talent, has instead been used to fill jobs that “could-and should- have been filled by Texans.”
This pause, according to Abbott, will allow state and federal officials time to implement necessary reforms. During this period, Texas plans to continue its significant investment in education and workforce training programs to meet labor demands without relying on the H-1B visa program.
The Governor’s directive aligns with recent concerns voiced by former President Donald Trump, who in September alleged that the H-1B program, originally designed to supplement the U.S. workforce, has been misused to replace American workers.
As part of the new order, state agencies and public universities are required to submit a comprehensive report to the Texas Workforce Commission by March 27. This report must detail their H-1B filings, current visa holders, countries of origin, job classifications, visa expiration dates, and the efforts made to recruit qualified Texas residents for these positions.
The freeze on new H-1B visa petitions is set to remain in effect until May 31, 2027, unless explicitly approved in writing by the Texas Workforce Commission.