Texas Freezes H-1B Visas, Sparking Fears for Universities and Research
A major policy move in Texas is sending shockwaves through universities, hospitals and research labs across the state. Governor Greg Abbott has ordered all Texas state agencies and public universities to halt new H-1B visa petitions, a decision that immediately puts the future of international hiring on hold until at least mid-2027.
The H-1B visa program allows employers to hire foreign workers with specialized skills, especially in fields like medicine, engineering, science and technology. Texas is home to tens of thousands of H-1B holders, many of them working in public universities, medical centers and state-funded research institutions. Under this new order, no new petitions can be filed unless a special exception is granted by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Governor Abbott says the goal is simple. He argues that jobs funded by taxpayers should go to Texans first. In his view, the pause gives lawmakers time to set stricter rules, review how the program is used and align with broader federal efforts to reshape the visa system. Supporters of the move say the H-1B program has been abused, claiming it allows employers to bypass American workers and offer lower wages.
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But critics warn the consequences could be serious and immediate. University leaders and Democratic lawmakers say this freeze could deepen staffing shortages, disrupt classrooms and slow critical research. Texas public universities rely heavily on international faculty and researchers, particularly in medicine and advanced science. Institutions like UT Southwestern Medical Center, Texas A&M, UT Austin and MD Anderson Cancer Center collectively employ hundreds of H-1B professionals who teach students, treat patients and lead major research projects.
The backlash from academia has been swift. A prominent professor from the University of California, Berkeley, has warned that restricting global talent threatens the long-term strength of American higher education. He points to history, noting that many of the world’s most influential scientists and scholars built their careers at U.S. universities after arriving from abroad. Cutting off those pathways, he argues, risks lowering academic standards and weakening global competitiveness.
This debate is not limited to Texas. Florida is considering a similar pause and at the federal level, President Donald Trump has already imposed a steep annual fee on H-1B visas, a move now facing legal challenges. Together, these actions signal a broader shift toward tighter controls on skilled immigration.
What happens next will matter far beyond state lines. Universities warn that research, innovation, healthcare access and even economic growth could be affected. Supporters counter that reform is long overdue and say Americans must come first.
This is a defining moment in the national conversation about immigration, talent and the future of higher education. Stay with us as this story continues to develop and keep watching for updates that could reshape classrooms, careers and communities across the country.
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