H-1B Under Pressure: What Texas and Florida’s New Restrictions Signal for Foreign Talent

Rhetoric to restrict the H-1B visa program is no longer just political talk, it is rapidly turning into policy. Early this year, Texas and Florida, two of the largest employers of H-1B professionals through public universities and state institutions, moved to freeze or severely restrict new H-1B hiring.

While these actions are currently limited to public universities and state agencies, they send a broader signal: the environment for employment-based visas is becoming more restrictive, unpredictable, and politically charged.

For foreign professionals, especially those building long-term careers in the U.S., these developments raise serious questions about stability, mobility, and long-term immigration security.

What’s Happening in Texas and Florida?

Texas: Statewide Freeze Through 2027

Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered all public universities and state agencies to halt new H-1B petitions through May 2027, unless special written permission is granted. Agencies must now submit detailed reports on current H-1B workers, including job roles, countries of origin, and visa expiration dates.

The justification? Claims of abuse, rising costs to taxpayers, and a push to prioritize U.S. workers despite universities relying heavily on H-1B professionals for research, healthcare, engineering, and advanced teaching roles.

Florida: Proposed Ban on H-1B Hiring at Public Universities

Florida is considering a policy that would ban all new H-1B hires at public universities through January 2027. Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly criticized the program, arguing that public institutions should focus on hiring U.S. citizens first.

If approved, the rule would directly impact flagship institutions like the University of Florida, Florida State University, and the University of South Florida, which collectively employ hundreds of H-1B professionals.

The Impact Beyond Universities

Although these measures technically apply only to public institutions, they reflect a larger trend:

• State-level involvement in federal visa policy

• Increased scrutiny of foreign workers

• Higher costs and administrative barriers (including the new $100,000 H-1B fee)

• Growing political risk tied to employment-based visas

For H-1B holders, the message is clear: your ability to stay, work, or change jobs may increasingly depend on forces outside your control—politics, budgets, and shifting policy priorities.

The Bigger Picture: H-1B Is Becoming a High-Risk Long-Term Strategy

H-1B was designed as a temporary work visa, but over time it has become a de facto long-term solution for many highly skilled professionals. Today, that strategy looks increasingly fragile:

• Employer dependency limits flexibility

• Visa renewals and stamping delays now stretch into 2027

• Policy changes can occur with little notice

• State actions can disrupt careers even when federal law hasn’t changed

For professionals thinking about permanent residency, family stability, and career freedom, relying solely on H-1B is becoming riskier.

Why EB-5 Is Gaining Attention in This Climate

As employment-based visas face mounting uncertainty, EB-5 stands out as one of the few immigration paths that is not tied to an employer, state policy, or job role.

Key advantages of EB-5 in contrast to H-1B:

• Direct path to permanent residence (green card)

• No employer sponsorship or job dependency

• Freedom to work, change jobs, or start a business

• Spouse and children included under one application

• Immigration status not affected by state-level hiring bans

At a time when even public universities are freezing H-1B hiring, EB-5 offers something increasingly rare in U.S. immigration: predictability and control.

Long-Term Outlook

Texas and Florida may be the first movers, but they are unlikely to be the last. As immigration rhetoric heats up and states take a more aggressive stance, foreign professionals should reassess how exposed they are to policy shifts beyond their control.

For many, the question is no longer if H-1B will become more restrictive, but how prepared they are when it does.

Exploring permanent, investment-based pathways like EB-5 is no longer an alternative. For some, it may be the most stable long-term solution available in an increasingly uncertain immigration landscape.

Because your Green Card Shouldn't Take a Lifetime.