Public universities in Florida have moved to ‘ban’ H-1B visas — weeks after Texas initiated a similar curb for new H1-B applications across the state. The move comes after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis directed schools last October to crack down on what he described as “visa abuse” in higher education.
“Universities across the country are importing foreign workers on H-1B visas instead of hiring Americans who are qualified and available to do the job. We will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions. That’s why I have directed the Florida Board of Governors to end this practice,” he had said in October last year.
The program allows employers to recruit highly skilled professionals in specialised occupations — primarily in science, technology, engineering and mathematics — to work in the US. It offers 65,000 visas annually, with another 20,000 visas for workers with advanced degrees, approved for three to six years.
How will this work? Who does it affect?
Florida’s public universities will temporarily halt hiring foreign faculty members using the H-1B visa program. The move will only affect new employees at the 12 universities in the State University System of Florida. The Florida Board of Governors — which oversees the state’s public universities — has voted for the temporary ban to remain in effect till January 5 next year.
Data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services’ website indicates that more than 600 beneficiaries were approved for H-1B visas by the 12 Florida schools last year. DeSantis had alleged last year that US universities “were importing foreign workers on H-1B visas instead of hiring Americans who are qualified and available to do the job”.
What happened in Texas?
Texas Governor Greg Abbott had ordered an investigation into the H-1B visa program within the state in late January. He also directed state agencies and universities to suspend new visa petitions.
“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,” Abbott said in a letter to state agencies.