Governor Greg Abbott Freezes H1-B Visas

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered state agencies and public universities to halt submitting new H-1B visa petitions while his administration reviews how the program is being used. H-1B visas are a federal pathway that allows employers to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields, and the sudden pause could significantly affect hiring in areas like education, medical services and academic research across Texas institutions.

In a letter sent Tuesday to agency leaders, Abbott instructed most state agencies and public higher-education institutions to immediately stop filing new H-1B petitions unless they first obtain written approval from the Texas Workforce Commission. The freeze will remain in effect until May 31, 2027 — the conclusion of the next regular Texas legislative session. Agencies are also required to submit a detailed report to the Workforce Commission by March 27, listing current H-1B employees, recent visa filings, job roles, visa timelines and efforts made to recruit Texas-based workers. Offices led by elected officials, including the attorney general, the General Land Office and the Department of Agriculture, are exempt from the directive.

Abbott’s move follows recent public remarks in which he said the state should scrutinize the use of H-1B visas in public schools.

Federal figures show Texas hosted more than 41,000 H-1B visa holders in fiscal year 2025. Major sponsors included Dallas Independent School District, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Texas A&M’s main campus, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and UT-Austin — institutions that could now face staffing challenges as the freeze takes effect.