Texas Governor Greg Abbott has officially launched a probe into how public K-12 schools and universities use H-1B visas. The central question: Are Texas tax dollars being used to hire foreign workers when local talent is available?
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Investigation at a Glance
The Governor’s office is demanding transparency from public institutions regarding:
- Headcounts: Exactly how many H-1B employees are on the payroll.
- Justification: Why these specific roles couldn’t be filled by Texans.
- Costs: A full accounting of taxpayer money spent on sponsorship and legal fees.
- Origins: Where these employees are being recruited from.
Who’s Under the Microscope?
While many H-1B visas are associated with tech giants, Texas public institutions are significant users, often citing shortages in specialized fields.
| Institution | Estimated H-1B Staff | Primary Use Case |
| Dallas ISD | 230 | Bilingual & Special Education |
| UT Southwestern | 228 | Advanced Medical Research |
| Texas A&M | 214 | Research & Faculty ($3.25M+ spent) |
| UT Austin | 169 | Higher Education & STEM |
The “Why Now?”
This move isn’t happening in a vacuum. It aligns with a shifting federal landscape:
- National Policy: The Trump administration recently implemented a $100,000 fee per new H-1B petition to discourage foreign hiring.
- State Priority: Abbott has signaled that an “action plan” is coming, suggesting that unless an institution can prove a “unique skill set” is required, these hiring practices may soon be restricted or banned.
