Texas Governor orders freeze on new H-1B visa petitions until 2027
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered state agencies and public universities to suspend new H-1B visa petitions and directed an investigation into the programme, citing concerns over abuse and the protection of American jobs.
In a letter issued on Tuesday, Abbott said the freeze would remain in place until May 31, 2027.
He added that exceptions would be permitted only with written approval from the Texas Workforce Commission. The Republican governor said the move comes amid a federal review of the H-1B visa programme to ensure jobs are being filled by American workers.
Abbott also instructed state agencies to submit a report by March 27 detailing the number of new and renewal H-1B petitions filed in 2025, the number of visa holders sponsored, and information on their countries of origin and job classifications.
The H-1B visa programme allows US companies to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialised occupations. Indians have accounted for the majority of H-1B visa holders in recent years, making up 72.3 percent of all visas issued in the 2022–23 financial year.
The decision in Texas follows a broader immigration crackdown under US President Donald Trump. In September, Trump signed an order imposing a $100,000 fee for each new H-1B visa application, later clarifying that the charge would not apply to existing visa holders.
In December, the US expanded social media vetting for H-1B applicants and their dependents, leading to the postponement of thousands of interviews in India. Later that month, the Department of Homeland Security finalised changes to the H-1B selection process to prioritise higher-skilled and better-paid workers. The new rules will take effect on February 27 for the 2026–27 registration period.