Florida Public Universities Suspend H-1B Visa Hiring for Foreign Faculty Until 2027

By Jasper Ward, Reuters

WASHINGTON, March 3 – Florida’s public universities have imposed a moratorium on recruiting international faculty through the H-1B specialty occupation visa program, a significant policy shift that aligns with Governor Ron DeSantis’s push for stricter oversight of foreign worker hiring in higher education.

The Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System, voted to suspend new H-1B hires for faculty positions. The regulation, posted on the board’s website, states the temporary ban will remain in effect until January 5, 2027. It applies solely to new employees across the system's twelve institutions.

This decision follows an October directive from Governor DeSantis, who urged state colleges and universities to crack down on alleged "visa abuse," arguing that some institutions were prioritizing foreign nationals over qualified American candidates.

The H-1B program is a cornerstone for U.S. recruitment in STEM and other specialized fields, granting up to 85,000 visas annually for highly skilled professionals. Data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services shows Florida’s public universities sponsored over 600 H-1B visa approvals last year alone.

The move occurs against a backdrop of heightened national scrutiny on immigration pathways. Last year, the Trump administration levied a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B applicants as part of a broader immigration crackdown. Florida’s policy is seen by observers as a state-level amplification of these federal tensions, potentially affecting research output, academic diversity, and competitive hiring in sectors where global talent is actively sought.

Requests for comment from the offices of Governor DeSantis and the Board of Governors were not immediately returned.

Reactions & Analysis:

"This is a shortsighted policy that will cripple our research competitiveness," said Dr. Anya Sharma, a professor of biomedical engineering at a major Florida research university. "My lab relies on attracting the best minds globally. This isn't about replacing American workers; it's about filling highly specialized roles where the domestic candidate pool is thin."

Mark Gibson, a former university administrator and policy analyst, offered a more measured view: "While the governor's concerns about visa program integrity aren't unfounded, a blanket suspension is a blunt instrument. It risks damaging Florida's reputation as an emerging hub for innovation and academic excellence at a critical time."

In contrast, Linda Forsyth, head of a local "Florida First" advocacy group, was unequivocal in her support: "It's about time! For years, qualified American PhDs have been passed over for these roles while universities exploited cheaper foreign labor. Governor DeSantis is finally putting American academics first. This isn't xenophobia; it's economic fairness."

David Chen, a graduate student in computer science, expressed concern: "As an international student hoping to contribute here after graduation, this sends a chilling message. It makes Florida feel closed for business to the very talent it helped educate."

(Reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington; Editing by David Ljunggren and Daniel Wallis)