🎓 Understanding the H-1B Visa Program

The H-1B visa program, administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, typically necessitating at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a specific field. Common roles in higher education include researchers, professors, engineers, and data scientists, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

Each fiscal year, the program has a cap of 85,000 visas: 65,000 for general applicants and an additional 20,000 for those with U.S. master's degrees or higher. Selections occur via a lottery due to high demand, with over 400,000 registrations in recent years. Institutions of higher education and affiliated nonprofit research organizations are generally cap-exempt, meaning they can sponsor beyond the numerical limit, though recent federal policies have introduced a $100,000 fee for new petitions, prompting scrutiny.

This program has been pivotal for U.S. higher education, enabling universities to attract global talent amid domestic shortages in niche areas like quantum computing or bioinformatics. However, critics argue it sometimes displaces qualified American workers by allowing lower wage offers, sparking debates on reform.

📋 Details of Texas Governor Greg Abbott's Moratorium

On January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a directive requiring all state agencies and public universities to immediately freeze new H-1B visa petitions until the conclusion of the 2027 legislative session, expected around May 31, 2027. Exceptions may be granted with written approval from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) for demonstrably unique skill sets unavailable domestically.

Institutions must submit comprehensive reports to the TWC by March 27, 2026, detailing: the number of new or renewal petitions filed in fiscal year 2025; current H-1B visa holders sponsored, including job titles, countries of origin, and visa expiration dates; and documentation of recruitment efforts prioritizing qualified Texas residents before sponsoring foreign workers.

This affects Texas' seven public university systems, including the University of Texas (UT) System and Texas A&M University System, which employ hundreds under the program. For context, as of late 2025, Texas A&M University sponsored approximately 210 H-1B workers, having invested over $3.25 million in sponsorship costs since 2020, while UT Southwestern Medical Center (part of UT System) had around 220.

🌴 Florida's Proposed Pause by the Board of Governors

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis directed action in October 2025, leading to the State University System of Florida's Board of Governors preliminarily approving a one-year prohibition on new H-1B hires on January 29, 2026, extending until January 5, 2027. A public comment period runs through mid-February 2026, after which a final vote will occur.

The pause facilitates data collection on program usage, including costs, fields of application (e.g., healthcare, engineering), strategic necessities, and wage comparisons to market rates. Current holders remain unaffected. Key institutions include the University of Florida (UF) with 253 approvals in FY2025 and about 156 active holders; Florida State University (FSU) with 110; University of South Florida (USF) with 107; and University of Central Florida (UCF) with 47. Collectively, Florida public universities support over 1,000 H-1B positions.

The board, with 14 of 17 members appointed by DeSantis, approved the measure unanimously in committee, though student and faculty representatives voiced concerns over talent recruitment.

⚖️ Rationales Cited by State Leaders

Governors Abbott and DeSantis echo federal concerns, particularly under the Trump administration, that the H-1B program is abused to import 'cheap labor' rather than fill genuine shortages. Abbott emphasized that taxpayer-funded positions must prioritize Texans, questioning why public schools need foreign workers when local talent exists. DeSantis highlighted potential under-market wages and urged 'pulling the plug' on misuse in higher education.

Both cite the new $100,000 federal fee per petition as a catalyst for review, aiming to ensure visas serve 'America First' priorities. No specific abuse cases were detailed, but the moves align with national efforts to reform the program amid reports of outsourcing firms dominating lotteries.

For more on the Texas directive, see the official announcement from the Governor's office here.

📊 Current H-1B Usage and Statistics

Public universities in these states heavily rely on H-1B for research-intensive roles. In Texas, top employers like Texas A&M rank among the state's largest H-1B sponsors, focusing on agriculture, engineering, and biomedical fields. Florida's system shows similar patterns, with UF leading in approvals.

USCIS data underscores universities' cap-exempt status drives this, but state pauses challenge it. Explore broader trends via the USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub.

Photo by Ernie A. Stephens on Unsplash

🗣️ Reactions from Universities and Faculty

Texas university systems, including Texas A&M and UT, have confirmed compliance, halting new petitions and preparing reports. However, leaders warn of disruptions in hiring top global researchers, potentially stalling projects.

In Florida, Chancellor Ray Rodrigues supports data-driven review but notes reliance in critical areas. Faculty groups, like those cited in Inside Higher Ed, argue bans undermine merit-based hiring and U.S. innovation. Miriam Feldblum of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration highlighted economic risks to Texas' pipeline.

International academics express uncertainty, while U.S. job seekers see opportunities in higher education positions.

🔬 Potential Impacts on Research and Competitiveness

Short-term, freezes may delay hires, leaving vacancies in labs and classrooms. Long-term, reduced global talent could erode research output; studies show H-1B contributes to productivity gains and innovation. Universities risk losing edge to countries like Canada or Australia with open policies.

• Research slowdowns in STEM, where 50%+ of postdocs are international.
• Higher costs from federal fees and recruitment abroad.
• Effects on graduate programs attracting diverse talent.

Balanced views suggest prioritizing U.S. training via programs like those on higher ed career advice.

🇺🇸 Broader National and Federal Context

These state actions mirror Trump-era reforms, including the $100,000 fee and scrutiny on outsourcing. For DeSantis' initial directive, review the press release. Nationally, higher ed groups like ACE warn of competitiveness threats.

X (formerly Twitter) trends reflect polarized views: supporters hail job protection; critics fear brain drain.

💼 Opportunities for Domestic Job Seekers

For U.S. academics, this opens doors in faculty and research roles. Explore openings at professor jobs, research jobs, or higher ed faculty positions. Enhanced recruitment documentation may boost transparency.

• Target STEM fields with shortages.
• Leverage state investments in workforce development.
• Build profiles on platforms like Rate My Professor for visibility.

🛤️ Paths Forward and Actionable Advice

Stakeholders can:

• For universities: Strengthen domestic pipelines, seek exemptions judiciously.
• International talent: Consider private unis or other states; pursue green cards.
• U.S. seekers: Upskill via certifications; apply aggressively to public institutions.

Monitor legislative sessions for reforms. AcademicJobs.com aids navigation with university jobs and resources.

Photo by Philip Davis on Unsplash

📝 In Summary: Navigating Change in Higher Education

Texas and Florida's H-1B pauses signal shifting priorities toward domestic hiring, with data collection paving reform paths. While challenging, they spotlight opportunities for American talent. Stay informed and competitive—check higher-ed-jobs, share experiences on Rate My Professor, explore career advice, browse university jobs, or post openings via recruitment services. Your insights in comments drive the conversation.