Texas May Ban H-1B Visa Holders from Public Schools

Governor’s New Proposal

Governor Greg Abbott has proposed a plan that could prevent public schools in Texas from hiring employees on H-1B visas. Speaking at a news conference in Austin, Abbott declared his intention to push for legislation that prohibits the employment of H-1B visa holders in public schools. Abbott stated, “Exactly zero Texas public school employees should be here on H-1B visas.”

The governor argued that this initiative aims to remove “indoctrination in the classroom.” He expressed concerns over foreign influence compromising educational standards, emphasizing that such influence should not exist in classrooms.

Explaining H-1B Visas

The H-1B visa program enables U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor’s degree. This mainly includes fields like technology, engineering, and healthcare.

In recent years, the program has faced criticism, particularly from some Republican lawmakers, who claim employers might use H-1B visas to undercut American workers and lower wages. There is also broader scrutiny related to visa fraud and labor violations. Nonetheless, demand for these visas remains high. On July 17, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it received enough petitions to hit the fiscal year 2027 limit, including 65,000 regular visas and 20,000 under the advanced degree exemption.

Proponents of the H-1B program argue it allows companies to fill roles in high-skill fields when domestic talent is scarce.

Potential Impact on Texas Schools

If implemented, the proposal could affect hundreds of teachers in Texas public schools working under H-1B visas. Texas has been the largest sponsor of these visas nationwide in recent years. Federal data indicates that Dallas Independent School District employs 171 H-1B visa holders, more than any other district or public university in Texas.

School districts often use H-1B visas to recruit bilingual educators, STEM teachers, and other hard-to-fill positions, especially in rural and high-needs areas. Supporters of the program believe it helps address teacher shortages, ensuring positions are filled when domestic recruitment fails.

This proposal follows a previous order from Abbott in January, which required state agencies to halt new H-1B petitions unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Abbott explained the move was to ensure taxpayer-funded positions are filled by Texans.

Next Steps

For the proposal to become law, the Texas Legislature must pass the appropriate legislation before Abbott can sign it. The legislature is scheduled to reconvene in 2027. If approved, Texas might become the first state to ban school districts from hiring teachers through the H-1B visa program.