H-1B visa holders face new restrictions in Texas as Governor Greg Abbott seeks total ban in public schools

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has proposed a bill that would ban H-1B visa holders from working in the state's public schools, arguing that foreign influence has no place in classrooms. The legislation, to be introduced during a campaign stop in Austin, would impose a "total ban" on H-1B workers in public schools. Abbott criticized the federal government for failing to impose sufficient limits on the H-1B programme, stating that Texas would need to take "tough decisions" due to these shortcomings.

The proposal is part of a broader plan to restrict foreign influence in Texas public education, including a ban on accepting gifts, money, or property from foreign sources or entering partnerships with foreign entities. Abbott cited concerns about foreign-backed funding and partnerships involving countries like Qatar and China. The proposal could impact school districts that rely on foreign workers to address teaching shortages, as Texas leads the US in employing H-1B visa-holding educators.

Universities and healthcare institutions account for a significant portion of H-1B employment in Texas, but K-12 school districts also use the programme to fill specialized roles. Abbott's proposal comes amid increased scrutiny of the H-1B programme under the Trump administration, which has criticized the programme for allowing employers to replace American workers with foreign ones or reduce labor costs.

H-1B visas are currently at the federal level, with 65,000 regular visas and 20,000 advanced US degree places allocated for fiscal year 2027. The Texas Legislature would need to pass the legislation before the governor could sign it into law, making it a significant state-level restriction on H-1B employment in public education.