Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced plans to prohibit the employment of H-1B visa holders in public schools across the state, a move that could significantly impact districts like the Dallas Independent School District (DISD), which currently employs a substantial number of these educators.
During a recent statement, Abbott emphasized his belief that no public school employees in Texas should hold H-1B visas, declaring, “Exactly zero Texas public school employees should be here on H-1B visas.” This proposal is expected to be formalized into legislation during the upcoming legislative session.
Currently, over 300 educators and staff members in Texas public and charter schools are employed under H-1B visas, with Dallas ISD accounting for the highest number at 171. If the ban is enacted, it could result in the loss of hundreds of teaching positions throughout the state.
This initiative follows Abbott’s earlier directive that halted new H-1B visa applications by state agencies and public universities. His administration cited concerns over potential misuse of the H-1B program and a commitment to prioritizing job opportunities for Texas residents. Abbott stated, “Bottom line is this foreign influence of any kind has no place in our classrooms.”
For this ban to take effect, new legislation must be introduced and passed in the next session. Should it succeed, Texas would be the first state to implement such a restriction on school districts hiring H-1B visa holders.
In January, Abbott’s administration implemented a freeze on H-1B visa petitions from state agencies and public institutions, which will remain in place until the conclusion of the Texas Legislature’s 90th regular session on May 31, 2027, unless the Texas Workforce Commission grants permission to lift it. This directive aligns with a broader federal review of the H-1B program, which Abbott referenced, stating it was designed to augment rather than replace the American workforce.
In a related context, a federal judge recently blocked the Trump Administration’s attempt to impose a $100,000 fee on employers seeking H-1B visas, ruling that it exceeded their authority and constituted a tax that only Congress could authorize.
The H-1B program allocates 65,000 visas annually, with an additional 20,000 set aside for individuals holding advanced degrees. Typically, employers incur fees ranging from $960 to $7,595 per application.
Critics of the proposed ban warn that eliminating H-1B visa holders from public schools will exacerbate existing challenges in staffing qualified teachers. Steven Poole from the United Educators Association stated that such a measure would hinder efforts to fill already difficult-to-staff positions, saying, “It’s hard enough for school districts to hire qualified teachers for every classroom, so this is just going to kneecap districts even further.”
In response to the governor’s announcement, the Dallas ISD expressed concern, indicating that if the state mandates the removal of these educators, it will necessitate a greater influx of Texans entering the teaching profession.
