State agencies and universities must report current visa holders and recruitment efforts by March 27
Debate over H-1B visas is an example of how politics should work, columnist argues
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday halted new H-1B visa petitions by state agencies and public universities as the state investigates potential program abuse.
In the letter, the governor cited reports of cases in which U.S. workers were allegedly displaced by lower-paid foreign labor.
“In the most egregious schemes, employers have even fired American workers and replaced them with H-1B employees, often at lower wages,” Abbott wrote.
President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Sept. 19, establishing the “Trump Gold Card” and introducing a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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“Rather than serving its intended purpose of attracting the best and brightest individuals from around the world to our nation to fill truly specialized and unmet labor needs, the program has too often been used to fill jobs that otherwise could—and should— have been filled by Texans,” he added.
Abbott said the pause will give state and federal officials time to enact reforms while Texas continues investing heavily in education and workforce training to meet labor demands without relying on the visa program.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has immediately halted new H-1B visas in the state. (Getty Images)
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The move comes after President Donald Trump in September alleged that while the visa program was intended to supplement the U.S. workforce, it has since been used to replace American workers.
“The large-scale replacement of American workers through systemic abuse of the program has undermined both our economic and national security,” Trump wrote in a Sept. 19 proclamation.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has said his state “will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions.” (GovRonDeSantis/X.com)
Abbott’s order requires state agencies and public universities to submit a report to the Texas Workforce Commission by March 27, detailing their H-1B filings, current visa holders, countries of origin, job classifications, visa expiration dates, and efforts to recruit qualified Texas residents.
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The freeze will remain in effect until May 31, 2027, unless approved in writing by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Alexandra Koch is a Fox News Digital journalist who covers breaking news, with a focus on high-impact events that shape national conversation.
She has covered major national crises, including the L.A. wildfires, Potomac and Hudson River aviation disasters, Boulder terror attack, and Texas Hill Country floods.
Texas Governor Abbott orders freeze on H-1B visa petitions
Published 01/27/2026, 12:58 PM
Texas Governor Abbott orders freeze on H-1B visa petitions
Investing.com — Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered state agencies and universities to suspend new H-1B visa petitions on Tuesday as part of an investigation into the federal visa program.
In a letter to state agencies, Abbott cited “recent reports of abuse in the federal H-1B visa program” and the federal government’s ongoing review of the program as reasons for the freeze.
The suspension will remain in effect until May 31, 2027, though exceptions may be granted with written permission from the Texas Workforce Commission.
Abbott, a Republican, has directed state agencies to submit a comprehensive report by March 27, 2026. The report must detail how many new and renewal H-1B petitions were submitted last year, the number of visa holders sponsored, and information about their countries of origin and job classifications.
A similar measure is being pursued in Florida, where the state’s Board of Governors is seeking to pause H-1B visas for public universities until January 5, 2027.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
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