Texas Suspends New H-1B Hiring at State Universities Until 2027

2026-01-28 politics

Austin, Tuesday, 27 January 2026.
Citing workforce prioritization, Texas halts new H-1B filings for state institutions until May 2027, disrupting recruitment for hundreds of specialized roles at major research universities like Texas A&M.

Executive Directive and Timeline

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a directive on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, mandating an immediate freeze on new H-1B visa petitions for all state agencies and public universities [1][2][4]. The suspension is scheduled to last through May 31, 2027, effectively halting the recruitment of foreign workers for specialty occupations until the conclusion of the next legislative session [3][8]. Governor Abbott framed the decision as a necessary measure to allow state lawmakers time to implement “guardrails” for the program and to ensure that employment opportunities funded by taxpayer dollars are prioritized for Texas residents [1][5].

Exceptions and Justification

While the order imposes a broad moratorium, it allows for limited exceptions; institutions may proceed with a petition only if they obtain written permission from the Texas Workforce Commission [1][7]. The Governor cited “recent reports of abuse” within the federal program as a catalyst for this action, asserting that some entities may have failed to make good-faith efforts to recruit qualified U.S. workers before seeking foreign labor [1][2]. This directive specifically exempts agencies led by elected officials, though it heavily impacts those with gubernatorially appointed leadership [5][8].

Impact on Research and Higher Education

The freeze is poised to disrupt hiring strategies at Texas’s largest research institutions, which frequently utilize H-1B visas to secure specialized talent in STEM and medical fields. Data indicates that the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas currently sponsors 228 H-1B holders, while the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston employs 171 [1][8]. The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University’s flagship campus are also significant participants in the program, with 169 and 214 visa holders currently on staff, respectively [1][2][8].

Expert Reaction and Scope

Critics of the policy warn of potential economic repercussions. Charles Foster, a Houston-based immigration attorney, argued that restricting access to these visas cuts off the pipeline for “the best and the brightest,” contending that universities use the program to hire the only qualified candidates for specific roles rather than to seek cheap labor [1]. Notably, the Governor’s order does not apply to public K-12 schools, which continue to rely on H-1B visas to mitigate ongoing teacher shortages across the state [1].

Regulatory Scrutiny and Political Landscape

In addition to the hiring freeze, the directive launches a comprehensive investigation into the state’s use of foreign labor. State agencies and universities must submit detailed reports to the Texas Workforce Commission by March 27, 2026 [2][8]. These filings must disclose the number of visa holders, their countries of origin, and job classifications, alongside documentation demonstrating that the institutions offered qualified Texas candidates a “reasonable opportunity” for the positions [1][5].

Federal and State Context

This state-level intervention aligns with a broader tightening of immigration policies under the administration of President Donald Trump. The federal government recently moved to impose a $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitioners, a prohibitive cost that had already forced the Texas A&M University System to discontinue sponsoring new visa holders prior to Abbott’s order [1][4]. The move also parallels actions in Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis has pushed for similar restrictions, with the Florida Board of Governors set to vote on a visa ban later this week [2][8].

Sources

Immigration Policy Labor Market