Texas Halts New H-1B Visa Applications, Citing 'System Abuse' and US Job Protection

• Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered an immediate freeze on new H-1B visa petitions for all state agencies and public universities.
• The freeze, effective until May 31, 2027, aims to prioritize American workers for taxpayer-funded positions.
• Abbott cited reported abuse of the federal H-1B program, including employers replacing American workers with H-1B employees at lower wages.
• The H-1B visa program allows US employers to hire foreign professionals for specialized roles, with 65,000 annual visas plus 20,000 for advanced degrees.
• Texas is the first state to impose such sweeping restrictions, aligning with the Trump administration's tighter H-1B rules.

Why It Matters: Texas freezes new H-1B visa applications for state entities, citing abuse and prioritizing American jobs.