Texas sent shock waves through the higher-education and public-sector talent market on 28 January when Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order prohibiting all state agencies and public universities from submitting new H-1B visa petitions until the end of the 2027 legislative session. The order directs agency heads to “immediately suspend” any preparation of petitions and to deliver a detailed inventory of existing H-1B workers to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) for review. Exceptions may be granted only with written TWC approval.
Abbott framed the move as a jobs-protection measure, echoing Trump-era rhetoric that the specialty-occupation visa “undercuts opportunities for Texans.” Universities such as UT Southwestern Medical Center, Texas A&M and the University of Texas at Austin—each of which employs hundreds of foreign researchers, physicians and IT specialists—warn the freeze will disrupt clinical trials, federally funded research and spring faculty recruiting now under way. University human-resources offices have already paused offer letters that were contingent on April 2026 H-1B cap filings.
Business groups note that the order applies only to taxpayer-funded employers, not to private companies, but say it could widen skills gaps in health care and engineering. Because the directive lasts until at least May 31 2027, affected workers will need alternative status such as O-1 or J-1, or they may migrate to private-sector roles—an ironic outcome that critics say will hurt public institutions while leaving overall H-1B demand unchanged.
![Texas Governor Orders Freeze on New H-1B Visa Filings at State Agencies and Universities]()
Amid this uncertainty, professionals and HR teams can turn to VisaHQ for individualized guidance on U.S. visa options—from O-1 and J-1 to expedited B-1/B-2 renewals—and for real-time tracking of policy shifts. Their online portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-states/) streamlines document collection, appointment scheduling and consular fee payments, helping employers and foreign talent navigate sudden rule changes with confidence.
For global mobility managers the practical steps are clear: identify any Texas-based, state-funded employees or candidates who planned an H-1B this spring; explore cap-exempt filings with non-profit research affiliates; and brief leadership on the potential need for relocation to out-of-state facilities. International students completing OPT this year should be counseled early so they can pivot to private-sector sponsorship if necessary.
The episode also signals that state-level actors can create sudden visa barriers even without federal policy changes—underscoring the value of real-time legislative monitoring in mobility programs.
Abbott framed the move as a jobs-protection measure, echoing Trump-era rhetoric that the specialty-occupation visa “undercuts opportunities for Texans.” Universities such as UT Southwestern Medical Center, Texas A&M and the University of Texas at Austin—each of which employs hundreds of foreign researchers, physicians and IT specialists—warn the freeze will disrupt clinical trials, federally funded research and spring faculty recruiting now under way. University human-resources offices have already paused offer letters that were contingent on April 2026 H-1B cap filings.
Business groups note that the order applies only to taxpayer-funded employers, not to private companies, but say it could widen skills gaps in health care and engineering. Because the directive lasts until at least May 31 2027, affected workers will need alternative status such as O-1 or J-1, or they may migrate to private-sector roles—an ironic outcome that critics say will hurt public institutions while leaving overall H-1B demand unchanged.
Amid this uncertainty, professionals and HR teams can turn to VisaHQ for individualized guidance on U.S. visa options—from O-1 and J-1 to expedited B-1/B-2 renewals—and for real-time tracking of policy shifts. Their online portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-states/) streamlines document collection, appointment scheduling and consular fee payments, helping employers and foreign talent navigate sudden rule changes with confidence.
For global mobility managers the practical steps are clear: identify any Texas-based, state-funded employees or candidates who planned an H-1B this spring; explore cap-exempt filings with non-profit research affiliates; and brief leadership on the potential need for relocation to out-of-state facilities. International students completing OPT this year should be counseled early so they can pivot to private-sector sponsorship if necessary.
The episode also signals that state-level actors can create sudden visa barriers even without federal policy changes—underscoring the value of real-time legislative monitoring in mobility programs.
