• Texas Governor Greg Abbott mandates a freeze on new H-1B visa petitions.
• The suspension will last until May 31, 2027, with limited exceptions.
• Abbott cites recent reports of abuse in the federal H-1B visa program.
• State agencies must report their H-1B hiring activities by March 27, 2026.
• The decision aligns with an ongoing federal review of the H-1B program.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered state agencies and public universities to halt new H-1B visa petitions, marking a significant setback for foreign professionals wishing to work in the U.S. This freeze, effective immediately, is set to last until May 31, 2027, and includes exceptions only with written permission from the Texas Workforce Commission, according to Business Insider.

In a letter sent to agency heads, Abbott cited "recent reports of abuse" in the federal H-1B visa program, saying, "In light of recent reports of abuse in the federal H-1B visa program, and amid the federal government’s ongoing review of that program to ensure American jobs are going to American workers, I am directing all state agencies to immediately freeze new H-1B visa petitions," according to Reuters and India Times.

Abbott has directed state agencies to compile a report by March 27, 2026, detailing the number of new and renewal H-1B petitions submitted in the previous year, along with information about the current visa holders, including their countries of origin and job roles. This directive aligns with his objective to prioritize employment for Texans, as he emphasized, "Texas taxpayers invest billions to train our workforce; those jobs should go to Texans," according to India Times.

The governor's actions come amidst broader changes to the H-1B program instigated by President Donald Trump's administration, which has emphasized a hardline stance on immigration. Notably, last year, the Trump administration imposed a new rollout requiring a substantial fee for new applicants and introduced stricter criteria for visa eligibility, which Abbott referenced in his decision to pause H-1B hiring, according to Reuters, Business Insider, and India Times.