Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Orders End to H-1B Visa Use in State Universities
Accuses institutions of hiring foreign workers over qualified Americans; move may impact hundreds of legal visa holders in Florida’s higher education system
New Delhi:-Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday directed the state’s Board of Governors to halt the use of H-1B visas across public universities, alleging that institutions were hiring foreign workers instead of qualified American graduates. Calling it “H-1B abuse,” DeSantis said Florida would no longer tolerate universities using the program to fill non-elite positions such as assistant coaches and media relations staff.
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data for 2025, the University of Florida had 156 H-1B approvals and renewals, followed by the University of South Florida with 68 and Florida State University with 67. The move is expected to affect hundreds of workers legally residing in the U.S. under H-1B sponsorship.
DeSantis argued that state universities should prioritize local talent, asserting that American graduates are often overlooked for cheaper foreign hires. The decision aligns with broader conservative efforts to tighten work-based visa programs, echoing measures proposed during the Trump administration.
While Florida is not among the top H-1B visa–using states, the policy shift could have significant implications for academia, research, and the state’s global competitiveness in higher education.(PNS)
