Greg Abbott Seeks To Ban H-1B Visas In Texas Public Schools

India-West News Desk

AUSTIN, TX – Texas school districts rely on H-1B visa teachers more than those in any other state, making Governor Greg Abbott’s latest push to eliminate the visas from public schools particularly significant. Abbott has been at the forefront of efforts to change H-1B restrictions in Texas, and he is now asking the Legislature to prohibit public schools from sponsoring the visas altogether.

Abbott announced the proposal August 18 while outlining a broader effort to limit foreign influence in Texas education. He said he wants state law to ensure that “exactly zero” public school employees are working in Texas under an H-1B visa.

The proposal would affect districts that have used the federal program to recruit teachers for positions that have proved difficult to fill locally.

The proposed ban would require legislative approval. The Texas Legislature is scheduled to meet next year, and Abbott said he wants any new law to apply not only to future H-1B applicants but also to employees already working in public schools under the visas.

The Dallas Independent School District said August 19 that it recruits educators from outside the United States only for teaching positions that the Texas Education Agency has identified as critical shortages. The district said those teachers are certified by the state. “If the governor’s new expectation is to eliminate these teachers, then we’re going to need more Texans in the teaching pipeline,” DISD officials said.

Abbott is also proposing restrictions on public schools’ dealings with foreign entities. Under his plan, schools would be prohibited from accepting gifts or entering financial agreements with foreign sources, following similar restrictions already imposed on Texas universities.

The governor had already, earlier this year, directed state agencies and public universities to freeze new H-1B petitions.