DeSantis Moving On Banning H1B Hires In Florida Universities

India-West News Desk

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida is moving closer to suspending new H 1B visa hiring across its public university system, a step that could reshape how campuses staff research and academic positions over the next year.

Under a draft policy reported by Politico, the State University System of Florida’s Board of Governors is expected to decide on January 29 whether to advance a proposal that would pause new H-1B hires at all state run universities. If the policy moves forward, universities would be barred from bringing in new employees under the visa program until January 5, 2027, while existing workers would not be affected.

The effort traces back to an October directive from Governor Ron DeSantis, who has framed the H 1B program as a tool universities use to bypass qualified American workers. DeSantis has argued that taxpayer funded institutions should prioritize domestic hiring and has accused universities of exploiting exemptions that allow them to hire foreign workers outside the federal visa cap.

The proposal comes despite Florida universities’ heavy dependence on H 1B workers, particularly in research and specialized academic roles. Federal immigration data shows the University of Florida employed 253 H 1B workers in fiscal year 2025, the highest in the state. Florida State University reported 110, while the University of South Florida employed 107.

Florida’s move also aligns with a broader shift in federal policy under President Donald Trump. In September, the administration imposed a $100,000 dollar fee on new H 1B applications.

Higher education groups have pushed back, urging Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to exempt colleges and universities from the new fee.