Texas freezes H-1B hiring: Governor Greg Abbott directs all state companies and universities to halt visa petitions

Texas governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday ordered state companies and public universities to halt new H-1B visa hiring.This marks a serious setback for overseas professionals looking for to work in US, particularly within the Purple state.In a letter despatched to company heads, Abbott directed all state our bodies to right away freeze new H-1B petitions, citing ‘abuse’ of the visa programme. The freeze will stay in place till Might 31, 2027, with restricted exceptions requiring written approval from the Texas Workforce Fee.Abbott stated he’ll work to make sure that solely Individuals get American jobs in his assertion: “In gentle of latest stories of abuse within the federal H-1B visa program, and amid the federal authorities’s ongoing overview of that program to make sure American jobs are going to American employees, I’m directing all state companies to right away freeze new H-1B visa petitions.”

The governor additionally instructed companies and universities to submit detailed stories by March 27, 2026. These should embody 1) What number of new and renewal H-1B petitions have been filed in 2025, 2) What number of visa holders are at the moment sponsored, their job roles, and their nations of origin.Abbott doubled down on his place in a put up on X: “Texas taxpayers make investments billions to coach our workforce; these jobs ought to go to Texans.”