By Admin 
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered an immediate halt to new H-1B visa applications at all government agencies and public universities in the state. He says that this visa program is being misused and Americans, especially the people of Texas, should have the first right on American jobs. This ban will remain in effect till 31 May 2027.
Why was H-1B visa banned?
Governor Abbott said that recent reports have revealed that the H-1B visa program has been abused. In many places, American employees were fired and replaced by foreign employees, that too at lower wages. Abbott says that this program was created to help American workers, not to replace them.
What is H-1B visa?
Through H-1B visa, American companies and institutions can hire foreign professionals. For this at least a graduation degree is required. 65,000 H-1B visas are granted each year and an additional 20,000 visas for those with advanced degrees. These visas are usually valid for 3 to 6 years.
Impact on Texas universities
H-1B visas have been an important support for many public universities, medical colleges and some school districts in Texas. Through this, people have been recruited for posts like professor, researcher, doctor and teacher, where local candidates are less available.
Texas jobs for texans
Governor Abbott said that the government itself should set an example in creating jobs funded by taxpayers. He believes that there are many jobs that Texas people can easily do, but foreign workers are being hired there.
To whom will the order apply?
Under this order, all state agencies and public higher education institutions headed by the Governor will not be able to make any new H-1B applications without the written permission of the Texas Workforce Commission. This rule will remain in effect till the end of the 90th session of the Texas Assembly i.e. till May 31, 2027.
The government will have to give a complete report
All affected agencies and universities must submit a detailed report to the Texas Workforce Commission by March 27, 2026. This will include H-1B applications made in 2025, the number of visa holders currently working, their country, type of job, duration of the visa and information about what efforts were made to provide jobs to Texans before hiring foreign workers.
Trump government also tightened rules
Last year, President Donald Trump had implemented a new rule on H-1B visa, under which a fee of $ 1 lakh was charged at one time from new applicants. This decision was challenged in court by more than 20 American states, but Texas did not join the case.
Impact on Indian citizens
71 percent of those who received H-1B visas in fiscal year 2024 were Indian citizens. But a big change was seen in 2025. According to the report, visa approvals for Indian IT companies fell by 37 percent, which is the lowest in the last 10 years.