Texas GOP Districts Lead In H-1B Filing Numbers Despite State Push To Restrict Visas

Photo: gregabbott.com

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – Despite Republican control in Washington and the Texas state government, several Texas congressional districts have recorded some of the nation’s sharpest increases in H-1B-related employer filings, according to an analysis of federal labor data by LayoffHedge.

The analysis examined 6.9 million Labor Condition Applications (LCAs), which employers must file with the U.S. Department of Labor before seeking an H-1B visa for a foreign worker. The filings indicate demand for skilled foreign labor but do not represent visas issued or individual workers hired.

Eight of the 10 congressional districts with the fastest-growing H-1B filings nationwide are represented by Republicans from Texas, LayoffHedge reported, including in the 26th District, represented by Rep. Brandon Gill, the strong Trump leaning son-in-law of author Dinesh D’Souza where filings increased 217%, from 2,010 to 6,374.

The Texas increases stand out against the broader national trend. Of the 243 congressional districts with enough filing activity to be included in the analysis, fewer than one-fourth recorded growth between FY2019 and FY2025. The median Democratic-held district saw H-1B filings decline 30%, compared with an 18% decline in the median Republican-held district.

Ten of the 20 fastest-growing districts in the country were in Texas, while 15 of the top 20 were represented by Republicans, the survey showed.

The increase in Texas comes as the Trump administration has introduced several H-1B restrictions. Separately, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered state agencies and public universities to pause the initiation and filing of new H-1B visa petitions.