US: Texas bans H-1B visas for universities and agencies, impacting Indian professionals and students

News Topical, Digital Desk : Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered government agencies and public universities to immediately halt new H-1B visa applications.

The governor's order tightens hiring rules at taxpayer-funded institutions. This move is expected to impact Indian professionals. This ban on H-1B visa applications will remain in effect until May 2027.

The directive issued Tuesday said Texas agencies and public universities should stop accepting new H-1B visa applications without written approval from the Texas Workforce Commission.

The US state of Texas is home to thousands of people holding H-1B visas. The governor's order comes as President Donald Trump's administration has begun taking steps to revamp the visa program.

"I am directing all provincial agencies to immediately halt new H-1B visa applications in accordance with this letter," Abbott said, adding that the move comes amid a review of the program by the federal government.

The letter states that institutions will also be required to report on the use of H-1B visas, including the number, job roles, country of origin, and visa expiration dates. On September 19 last year, US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation "Restricting the Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers."

The declaration banned entry into the US of workers whose H-1B applications did not include or include a payment of USD 100,000.

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