Texas Gov. Greg Abbott halts new H-1B visa petitions at state agencies and universities

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Source: AP

Updated 6:29 PM EST, January 27, 2026


Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas universities and state agencies on Tuesday to halt new H-1B visa petitions, which are used by employers to hire foreign workers with specialized skills, until next year.

The pause in the red state, which is home to thousands of H-1B visa holders, comes amid actions by the Trump administration aimed at reshaping the visa program. Critics argue that it has become a pipeline for overseas workers willing to work for lower pay and is taking job opportunities from Americans. But supporters say the program is crucial to attract top global talent, fill specialized roles and drive innovation.

“State government must lead by example and ensure that employment opportunities — particularly those funded with taxpayer dollars — are filled by Texans first,” Abbott wrote in his letter.

But proponents of the program argue that it is beneficial to the state, and that any pause could worsen existing staffing shortages and hinder universities’ ability to recruit talent.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/h1b-immigration-visa-texas-2055edb18b9da65601a3b8d0562f668c