Texas could ban public schools from employing H-1B visa holders under a new plan from Governor Greg Abbott. Speaking at a news conference in Austin, Abbott said that he would be “calling for legislation that will put a total ban on H-1B workers in public schools.” “Exactly zero Texas public school employees should be here on H-1B visas,” he said. Abbott said the proposed ban is part of an effort to stamp out "indoctrination in the classroom." He said that “standards” of what is being taught to children are being “compromised by foreign influence.” “Bottom line is this: foreign influence of any kind has no place in our classrooms,” he added.
The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations that typically require at least a bachelor's degree, particularly in fields such as technology, engineering and healthcare. Under the Trump administration, the program has faced criticism from some Republican lawmakers, who argue that employers can use H-1B visas to undercut American workers and wages. And there has been broader scrutiny of employment-based immigration, with federal officials focusing on alleged visa fraud, labor violations and the protection of both U.S. and foreign workers.
However, demand for H-1B visas remains strong. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on July 17, 2026, that it had received enough petitions to reach the fiscal year 2027 cap, including 65,000 regular H-1B visas and 20,000 places under the U.S. advanced degree exemption. Supporters of the program argue that it helps employers fill jobs, particularly in high-skill fields, when they cannot find enough qualified workers.
The proposal could affect hundreds of teachers currently working in Texas public schools under H-1B visas, depending on how any legislation is implemented. Texas public schools have, up until now, been the largest sponsor of H-1B visas in the nation in recent years. According to federal data, Dallas Independent School District employs 171 H-1B visa holders, more than any public school district or public university in Texas.
School districts have often relied on H-1B visas to recruit bilingual educators, STEM teachers and instructors for hard-to-fill positions, particularly in rural and high-needs districts. Supporters of the H-1B program argue it helps address teacher shortages and allows districts to fill positions that can remain vacant for months despite domestic recruitment efforts. It comes after a January order from Abbott, which stipulated that state agencies freeze new H-1B petitions unless they receive approval from the Texas Workforce Commission.
Abbott said the move was intended to ensure taxpayer-funded jobs are filled by Texans first. Speaking at Tuesday's press conference, Abbott also discussed proposed limits on student screen time and broader concerns about influences on education. He said: “After teaching our students how to read, we also want to begin focusing on what they read, and what they are learning, how they are influenced in school.
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