Governor Greg Abbott has made clear in no uncertain terms that the economy of Texas should work for the benefit of Texas workers first, not H-1B workers with temporary residence in the state.
Texas’ growing economy is powering the future through unrivaled innovation and growth. Investment in our workforce is a main force behind this success. In the last two years alone, the state has invested more than $7 billion in career training programs to prepare hardworking Texans for careers in high-demand labor positions — like semiconductor techs, trained mechanics, HVAC experts, electricians, pipe fitters, welders, plumbers, and more.
During the 2025 Legislative Session, Governor Abbott signed two impactful pieces of legislation (House Bill 20 and House Bill 120) to expand career and technical education opportunities for students across Texas by establishing partnerships with higher education institutions and improving college and career advising.
Then, in March 2026, Governor Abbott launched the Texas Jobs Council, a first-of-its-kind initiative led by business and labor union leaders to prepare Texans with the specialized skills they need to succeed in whatever career they choose.
Thanks to Governor Abbott’s leadership, Texans are more qualified than ever before to take on high-skilled labor positions, and are among the most proficient workers in the nation. That’s why Governor Abbott has taken decisive action to ensure that Texas jobs are filled by Texans.
In September 2025, reports of abuse in the federal H-1B visa program surfaced. A federal initiative implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the H-1B visa program was created to supplement the U.S. workforce with the best and brightest from around the world — not replace the U.S. workforce with low-paid, low-skilled labor.
However, it has become clear that these visas are going to people that do not fulfill the intention of the program. It is being grossly abused. Evidence has pointed to certain companies exploiting the program by failing to make good-faith efforts to recruit qualified U.S. workers before resorting to foreign labor. President Donald Trump sounded the alarm and responded with a proclamation restricting entry of certain immigrant workers through the program.
Governor Abbott responded, too. Although the H-1B visa program is completely overseen and enforced at the federal level, Governor Abbott does have influence over hiring practices at state agencies and public institutions of higher education. On January 27, 2026, Governor Abbott directed Texas state agencies and universities to immediately freeze new H-1B visa petitions and launch a review of current H-1B visa program use.
He said in his letter, “Texas state agencies and institutions of higher education collectively employ hundreds of thousands of Texans and have a significant role in shaping the State’s labor market. State government must lead by example and ensure that employment opportunities — particularly those funded with taxpayer dollars — are filled by Texans first.”
Governor Abbott’s directive is a vital step to prioritize jobs for Texans. His directive not only provides time for the Texas Legislature to establish statutory guardrails for future employment practices regarding federal visa holders in state government, but it also delivers a runway for the federal government to implement necessary reforms to curb abuse of the H-1B visa program.
According to the Trump Administration, the federal crackdown on the H-1B visa program has been exceedingly effective. The number of new H-1B visas issued in the U.S. has declined by roughly 90% though administrative action alone.
As for Texas, Governor Abbott will do his part to keep the Lone Star State by, for, and of Texans.