Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent a directive to state agencies and public universities on Tuesday, ordering them to stop hiring foreign workers for jobs that could be filled by Texas residents.
In a letter sent to agency leaders, the Governor announced an immediate freeze on new applications for H-1B visas, declaring that the state government needs to lead by example in prioritizing local workers.
The H-1B program is a federal visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialized occupations. While the program was designed to help companies find talent they couldn’t find at home, Abbott argues that it has strayed far from that goal. In his letter, he cited reports of “bad actors” who have used the program to replace capable American employees with cheaper foreign labor. He insisted that the system should not be used to bypass Texas workers who are ready and willing to do the job.
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This move comes as the state aligns itself with President Trump’s recent actions to restrict entry for certain non-immigrant workers.
Abbott explicitly mentioned the President’s review of the program, stating that Texas will not wait for federal changes to take action at the state level. The Governor emphasized that Texas has poured billions of dollars into education and workforce training over the last few years. Because of this massive investment, he believes the state has a surplus of skilled talent and does not need to rely on foreign labor for government positions.
Under the new order, no state agency or public university can start a new petition for an H-1B worker without direct written permission from the Texas Workforce Commission. This freeze is set to last until May 31, 2027, giving the state legislature time to create permanent laws regarding the issue.
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Beyond just stopping new hires, Abbott is demanding answers about current practices. By March 27, 2026, all affected agencies must submit a detailed report. They are required to disclose exactly how many visa holders they sponsor, where those workers are from, and what specific jobs they are doing. Perhaps most significantly, these agencies will have to provide proof that they genuinely tried to hire a qualified Texan before offering the position to a visa holder.
For now, the message from the Governor’s mansion is clear: state-funded jobs should go to Texans first. The freeze ensures that until the federal government or state lawmakers say otherwise, the door for new foreign workers in Texas state government is shut.
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