Florida Governor Directs Universities to Stop Using H-1B Visas for Foreign Workers

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has directed state education officials to "pull the plug" on the use of H-1B visas for foreign workers at the state's universities, citing that such jobs should be filled by Americans. DeSantis argued that the use of H-1B visas undermines the ability of American workers to fill these positions. The governor's announcement follows a Trump administration plan to charge institutions $100,000 to bring in workers from other countries using the visas. This move has sparked controversy, with many higher education leaders arguing that H-1B visa holders fill critical teaching and research roles.

Key Takeaways:

• Governor Ron DeSantis has directed Florida education officials to stop using H-1B visas for foreign workers at state universities, citing that such jobs should be filled by Americans.
• The Trump administration has proposed charging institutions $100,000 to bring in workers from other countries using the H-1B visas.
• There are currently about 400 H-1B visa applications approved for the state system's 12 universities, with the most, 156, at the University of Florida.
• Higher education leaders have argued that H-1B visa holders fill critical teaching and research roles and that limiting their use would undermine the ability to recruit and retain top international faculty, researchers, and students.
• The American Association of Colleges and Universities has stated that state boards do not have the authority to revoke or eliminate H-1B visas, but can make policy changes to reduce or stop sponsoring such visas.
• University administrators have warned that limiting the use of H-1B visas would have significant consequences, including the loss of vital contributions to teaching, scholarship, and research.

Statistics:

• About 400 H-1B visa applications were approved for the state system's 12 universities through June of this year.
• The most approved H-1B applications were at the University of Florida, with 156.
• The Trump administration has proposed charging institutions $100,000 to bring in workers from other countries using the H-1B visas.
• Over 700 workers at Washington University in St. Louis hold H-1B visas and make vital contributions to teaching, scholarship, and research.

Sources:

• "Florida Governor Directs Universities to Stop Using H-1B Visas for Foreign Workers" from _The New York Times_.
• Statements from Governor Ron DeSantis, American Association of Colleges and Universities, Association of American Universities, Washington University in St. Louis, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security data on H-1B visa applications.