Florida Universities Ordered to End H-1B Hiring Under DeSantis Plan
By The Vagabond News Editor – Sudhir Choudhary
Governor’s Directive Targets Foreign Worker Visas
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has directed the state’s public universities to stop hiring employees on H-1B visas, intensifying his administration’s push to restrict the use of foreign labour in state institutions.
The move, announced this week, instructs the Florida Board of Governors — which oversees all public universities — to ensure immediate compliance with the order.
DeSantis argued that taxpayer-funded universities “should prioritise Floridians and American citizens” over international visa holders.
“We will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions,” he said, framing the decision as a step toward protecting local jobs and values.
(Official statement – flgov.com)
Image: University of South Florida students on campus (Credit: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0)
Why It Matters
- The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers, including universities, to hire skilled foreign workers in specialised roles.
- State institutions such as the University of Florida, Florida State University, and University of South Florida collectively employ hundreds of H-1B holders, many of them in research, medicine, and engineering.
- Because immigration visas are federally regulated, DeSantis’s directive applies mainly to new hires, creating a policy clash between state control and federal immigration law.
Critics warn the order could hamper Florida’s ability to recruit qualified faculty in competitive STEM and research fields. Supporters counter that it protects local graduates from being “crowded out” of academic and technical roles.
Legal and Institutional Reaction
University administrators have begun reviewing their hiring practices, awaiting formal guidance from the Board of Governors.
Immigration law experts note that state orders cannot override federal visa authorisations, raising questions about enforceability and potential legal challenges.
The move also coincides with DeSantis’s broader campaign to restrict DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) initiatives in Florida’s education system.
Image: The Westcott Building, Florida State University, Tallahassee (Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)
What Happens Next
- The Board of Governors will release implementation rules in the coming weeks.
- Universities may pause pending H-1B sponsorships while assessing their legal obligations.
- Lawmakers and civil-rights groups are expected to challenge the directive if it conflicts with federal immigration law.
For now, Florida’s flagship universities must balance the governor’s political agenda with their research and recruitment goals — a tension likely to shape the next academic hiring cycle.
Related links
- DeSantis urges Florida universities to stop hiring foreign visa workers – The Guardian
- Gov DeSantis calls for H-1B visa halt at Florida universities – WCJB
- Official Press Release – Florida Governor’s Office
