By Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON, Jan 27 (Reuters) – Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the H-1B visa program in the state, and directed state agencies and universities to suspend new visa petitions.

“In light of recent reports of abuse in the federal H-1B visa program, and amid the federal government’s ongoing review of that program to ensure American jobs are going to American workers, I am directing all state agencies to immediately freeze new H-1B visa petitions,” Abbott said in a letter to state agencies.

The Republican governor said the freeze will last until May 31, 2027, and will allow exceptions for cases where written permission is given by the Texas Workforce Commission.

The governor gave agencies until March 27, 2026, to compile a report identifying how many new and renewal H-1B petitions they submitted last year, the number of visa holders sponsored and the countries of origin and job classifications for those visa holders.

Florida’s Board of Governors, which governs that state’s university system, is currently seeking to pause H-1B visas for public universities until January 5, 2027.

H-1B visas allow highly skilled foreign professionals in specialized occupations — primarily in science, technology, engineering and mathematics — to work in the U.S. 

The program offers 65,000 visas annually, with another 20,000 visas for workers with advanced degrees, approved for three to six years.

Last year, President Donald Trump, who has sought to implement an aggressive immigration agenda during his second term, imposed a new $100,000 one-time fee for new applicants of the H-1B visa.

The move was challenged by more than 20 states, excluding Texas.

The Trump administration has said that the H-1B program has been abused by U.S. employers who seek to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign workers.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward; editing by Scott Malone)

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