Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an order on Tuesday to stop new H-1B visa hiring by all state agencies and public universities. The freeze will last until May 31, 2027, with exceptions needing approval from the Texas Workforce Commission. Abbott cited "abuse" of the visa program and said, "In light of recent reports of abuse in the federal H-1B visa program, and amid the federal government’s ongoing review of that program to ensure American jobs are going to American workers, I am directing all state agencies to immediately freeze new H-1B visa petitions." Abbott also demanded detailed reports on H-1B visa use by March 27, 2026, including counts of new and renewed petitions in 2025, as well as current visa holders’ job roles and countries of origin. He highlighted taxpayer investment in training Texans, saying on social media, "Texas taxpayers invest billions to train our workforce; those jobs should go to Texans." Before this, Abbott asked for a full list of H-1B workers in Texas universities and public schools to ensure Texans fill jobs first. The H-1B visa allows US employers to hire skilled foreign workers in STEM fields. Each year, 65,000 visas are issued nationally, plus 20,000 more for advanced degree holders. Texas ranks second after California in H-1B visa holders, with over 40,000 approved workers in 2025 for 6,100 employers. Public universities like the University of Texas and Texas A&M employ about 1,200 H-1B visa holders, while companies such as Oracle and Tesla hire private sector workers. The H-1B visa system is controversial, especially within the Republican MAGA base. Critics say it replaces American workers with cheaper foreign labor. Changes under former President Donald Trump included a large fee hike and stricter background checks. Meanwhile, some business leaders stress the need to attract top global talent. This freeze deepens the debate over H-1B visas in Texas and across the US, reflecting broader tensions around immigration and jobs.