'System Being Abused': Texas Halts New H-1B Visa Applications, Citing Need To Protect US Jobs

Last Updated:January 28, 2026, 07:24 IST

The move makes Texas the first US state to impose such sweeping restrictions on the widely used visa program

The freeze comes as the Trump administration has tightened H-1B rules nationwide.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered an immediate freeze on new H-1B visa petitions across all state agencies and public universities, citing reported abuse of the federal program and vowing to prioritize American workers for taxpayer-funded positions. The Republican governor announced the freeze will remain in effect until May 31, 2027, when the current legislative session concludes, making Texas the first state to impose such sweeping restrictions on the widely used visa program that allows US employers to hire foreign professionals for specialized roles.

“In light of recent reports of abuse in the federal H-1B visa program, and amid the federal government’s ongoing review of that program to ensure American jobs are going to American workers, I am directing all state agencies to immediately freeze new H-1B visa petitions," Abbott said in a letter to agency heads.

What Is H-1B Visa Program And Why Does It Matter To Texas?

The H-1B visa program permits US employers to bring in foreign professionals for specialized positions typically requiring at least a bachelor’s degree. The program offers 65,000 visas annually, with an additional 20,000 reserved for workers with advanced degrees, approved for three to six years. In Texas, the system has become a critical resource for public universities, academic medical centers and some school districts, helping them recruit professors, researchers, doctors and teachers when local talent is scarce.

What Evidence of Abuse Prompted Texas’ Action?

Abbott pointed to US President Donald Trump’s recent proclamation on restricting certain non-immigrant workers, noting the H-1B program was created to supplement America’s workforce, not replace it.

“Evidence suggests that bad actors have exploited this program by failing to make good-faith efforts to recruit qualified US workers before seeking to use foreign labor," Abbott said. In some cases, he added, employers have fired American workers and replaced them with H-1B employees, often at lower wages. The governor argued that the program has increasingly been used to fill jobs that could and should have been filled by Texans, rather than attracting the world’s best talent for truly specialized roles.

“The Texas economy must work for the benefit of Texas workers and Texas employers," Abbott said, emphasizing that state government should lead by example in hiring practices, particularly for taxpayer-funded positions.

How Will the Freeze Work In Practice?

Under the directive, no state agency led by a gubernatorially appointed head, or any public institution of higher education, may initiate or file new H-1B visa petitions without written permission from the Texas Workforce Commission until May 31, 2027.

The freeze comes as the Trump administration has tightened H-1B rules nationwide. Last year, Trump imposed a new one-time fee of $100,000 on fresh H-1B applicants as part of his second-term immigration push. The measure was challenged in court by more than 20 states, though Texas did not join the lawsuit.

News world 'System Being Abused': Texas Halts New H-1B Visa Applications, Citing Need To Protect US Jobs

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