Texas H-1B School Ban
Texas Gov. Abbott Proposes H-1B Visa Ban for Public Schools, Citing Foreign Influence
Key Points
The freeze on new H-1B petitions by state agencies and public colleges/universities will stay in place through May 31, 2027 (the end of the Texas Legislature's 90th regular session) unless the Texas Workforce Commission grants written permission to extend.
Dallas ISD is the largest Texas school district employer of H-1B visa holders, with 171 workers identified in federal data.
Infosys, the India-based IT services company, is the top employer of H-1B visa holders in Texas.
Abbott’s plan would bar public schools from accepting gifts or entering into partnerships or other financial arrangements with foreign governments and the entities they own, fund, or act through.
The push comes amid national-level scrutiny of the H-1B program, including President Trump’s proposal to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B applications—a move that a federal judge blocked.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is pushing to make Texas the first state to ban public schools from hiring H-1B visa holders, according to KHOU. Abbott announced the proposal at a press conference in Austin, calling foreign influence in classrooms a threat he wants to stop.
Abbott had already ordered a freeze on new H-1B petitions by state agencies and public colleges through May 31, 2027, per Head Topics. His new push would go further, covering all current and future H-1B workers in K-12 school districts across Texas.
How Many Teachers and Schools Would Be Hit
The ban could affect hundreds of teachers and staff statewide. Dallas ISD is the biggest user of H-1B workers among Texas school districts, with 171 workers identified in federal data, according to NewsBreak. Other districts rely on H-1B holders to fill hard-to-staff roles, especially in bilingual education.
Critics warn the policy could make teacher shortages much worse. Texas already struggles to fill bilingual and special education classrooms. Removing H-1B workers would leave those seats empty, with no clear plan to replace them.
Abbott Frames the Ban as Blocking Foreign Influence
Abbott said the proposal is about keeping foreign influence out of schools. KHOU reported that his plan would also bar public schools from accepting gifts or entering financial partnerships with foreign governments or any group they fund or control.
The governor said Texas must prioritize its own workers and maintain control over how education dollars are spent. He did not offer a timeline for when replacement teachers would be found if the ban takes effect.
Legislature Must Act for the Ban to Become Law
Abbott cannot make this change on his own. The ban would require a bill to pass during the Texas Legislature's current session, according to Head Topics. The freeze on state agency H-1B petitions stays in place through May 31, 2027, unless the Texas Workforce Commission grants an exception in writing.
NewsBreak noted that Abbott's move comes as H-1B rules face pressure at the national level too. President Trump proposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B applications, but a federal judge blocked that plan. Infosys, the India-based IT company, is currently the top employer of H-1B workers in Texas overall.
Texas Could Set a National Precedent on Visa Hiring
No state has ever barred school districts from hiring H-1B workers. If Texas passes this law, it would be a first in the country, according to KHOU. Other states watching the debate could follow if the policy survives legal challenges.
The Austin American-Statesman captured Abbott at the Texas Public Policy Foundation press conference laying out the case, per Austin American-Statesman. He framed the issue as protecting Texas classrooms, but school leaders say losing hundreds of trained teachers is the real risk.
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