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

Texas governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday ordered state agencies and public universities to halt new H-1B visa hiring.This marks a major setback for foreign professionals seeking to work in US, especially in the Red state.In a letter sent to agency heads, Abbott directed all state bodies to immediately freeze new H-1B petitions, citing ‘abuse’ of the visa programme. The freeze will remain in place until May 31, 2027, with limited exceptions requiring written approval from the Texas Workforce Commission.Abbott said he will work to ensure that only Americans get American jobs in his statement: “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.”

The governor also instructed agencies and universities to submit detailed reports by March 27, 2026. These must include 1) How many new and renewal H-1B petitions were filed in 2025, 2) How many visa holders are currently sponsored, their job roles, and their countries of origin.Abbott doubled down on his position in a post on X: “Texas taxpayers invest billions to train our workforce; those jobs should go to Texans.”