Epic Disaster: No More H1B Visas In Texas

Texas has become a hub for the Telugu community with a large volume of the population settling down here. But the latest developments are suggesting that Texas is not going to invite new H1B visas till the foreseeable future.

Texas has decided to pause new H1B visa petitions filed by state agencies and public universities, triggering concern among foreign professionals and academic institutions.

The decision, announced by Governor Greg Abbott, places a temporary freeze on fresh H1B applications until May 2027, unless special approval is granted by the Texas Workforce Commission. The move is aimed at reviewing how the visa program is being used and ensuring that taxpayer funded jobs are first offered to qualified American workers.

As part of the order, all affected departments and universities must submit detailed reports on their existing H1B employees. These reports will include the number of visa holders currently employed, their job roles, countries of origin and the steps taken to recruit local talent before turning to foreign hires. The state government says this data will help create stricter hiring guidelines and prevent alleged misuse of the program.

While officials argue the pause protects domestic employment, critics warn it could seriously impact higher education, healthcare and research sectors. Public universities often rely on skilled international faculty and researchers, and restrictions could slow innovation and disrupt ongoing projects.

The decision comes amid growing national debate over immigration and work visas, with Texas emerging as one of the first states to take such a strong stance.