Texas launches probe into H-1B use in state's public schools, universities

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has launched an enquiry into the use of the H-1B programme by public schools and universities, questioning whether Texans are being overlooked for foreign hires. However, state institutions are heavily reliant on the visa programme to fill the persistent skilled-worker shortages.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has launched an enquiry into the use of H-1B visas by the state's public schools, universities, and related institutions, focussing on whether taxpayer dollars are supporting foreign workers in roles that could potentially be filled by Texans.

On January 26, Abbott publicly addressed the issue during an interview with conservative radio host Mark Davis. He revealed that his administration had sent requests to various public education entities asking them to disclose information on employees working under H-1B visas. The governor stated that an "action plan" would be announced soon once the data is reviewed, according to reports by The Texas Tribune and Houston Chronicle.

Internal emails obtained by Quorum Report, which were cited in both The Texas Tribune and Houston Chronicle, showed that the governor's office specifically directed the Texas A&M University System to provide detailed information including job roles and countries of origin for all H-1B visa holders by the close of business on Monday, January 26. Abbott expressed clear scepticism about the necessity of such hires in public education settings.

Abbott told Mark Davis he does not "see any reason why we need any H-1B visa employees in our public schools in the state of Texas", though he left open the possibility that some individuals might possess unique skill sets justifying their employment, reported The Texas Tribune and Dallas Morning News.

He further suggested that certain visa holders admitted during or before the Biden administration might have overstayed their authorised periods, tying the matter to broader federal enforcement efforts under the Donald Trump administration, according to The Texas Tribune.

This review was prompted in part by The Dallas Express, which pursued public records on Texas A&M University's H-1B visa usage for months and eventually filed a complaint with the Texas attorney general to obtain the requested information. According to its report, the university has expended over $3 million since 2020 to pay for the costs of hiring from the H-1B programme.