Texas: In a move that could significantly impact high-skilled foreign professionals, particularly Indians, the US state of Texas has announced a freeze on H-1B visa applications for state agencies and public universities, aligning itself with President Donald Trump’s broader crackdown on immigration.
The decision was confirmed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who said the H-1B visa programme has increasingly been used to fill positions that, according to him, should have gone to American workers. The freeze will remain in force until May 31, 2027, and applies to state-funded institutions such as universities, hospitals and other government agencies.
In an official communication, Abbott argued that the programme has drifted from its original objective of attracting highly specialised global talent to meet genuine labour shortages. Instead, he claimed, it has often displaced local workers. “State government must lead by example and ensure that employment opportunities, particularly those funded by taxpayers, are filled by Texans first,” Abbott said, adding that the move is aimed at preserving Texas’ position as the “strongest economic engine in America.”
The announcement comes just months after President Trump unveiled a sharp increase in H-1B visa application costs, raising fees by $100,000, a move that had already raised concerns among foreign professionals and employers alike.
Data cited by the Houston Chronicle indicates that most H-1B visa holders in Texas are employed by private firms. However, within the public sector, a substantial number of visa holders work in state universities and government-run hospitals, making these institutions particularly vulnerable to the freeze.
As part of the directive, Governor Abbott has instructed all state agencies to submit detailed reports by March 27, outlining the number of H-1B renewals sought, countries of origin of applicants, visa expiration timelines and related employment data.
The development has been described as another setback for the Indian community in the United States. According to the Pew Research Center, Texas is home to at least 570,000 people of Indian origin, making it one of the largest Indian diaspora hubs in the country. Other states with sizeable Indian populations include New Jersey, New York and Illinois.
Immigration analysts note that Indians account for the largest share of H-1B visa recipients nationwide. US Census Bureau estimates from 2023 suggest that nearly two-thirds of immigrants entering the US on skilled worker visas are from India, underscoring the disproportionate impact of such policy shifts.
The decision also comes at a time when India–US relations are facing strain over trade disputes and tariff measures introduced by the Trump administration, including steep duties on Indian goods and criticism of New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil amid the Ukraine conflict.
