Summary
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered state agencies and public universities to stop filing new H-1B visa petitions unless they get written permission from the Texas Workforce Commission. This pause will last until May 31, 2027, and aims to give lawmakers time to review and possibly change rules about hiring foreign workers at state-funded institutions. The decision is part of a wider effort to tighten H-1B visa rules under President Trump.
Key Facts
- Governor Greg Abbott ordered a stop to new H-1B visa applications by state agencies and universities in Texas.
- Exceptions to this rule require written permission from the Texas Workforce Commission.
- The pause on new applications will last until May 31, 2027.
- The move aligns with President Trump's push to make H-1B visa policies stricter and follows a new $100,000 fee for certain petitions.
- This order affects universities and agencies but does not include K-12 public schools.
- Institutions must report their H-1B use and recruiting efforts for Texans by March 2026.
- Major universities like Texas A&M and the University of Texas are significant users of the H-1B program.
