Florida’s state university system has announced a temporary freeze on hiring foreign workers through the federal H-1B visa program, set to remain in place until January 2027. The Board of Governors, influenced by Gov. Ron DeSantis, approved the measure during a recent meeting. According to CBS Miami, the freeze is part of a broader review of the program’s costs and usage across state universities.
Supporters of the hiring freeze cite concerns over potential misuse of the H-1B visa program. System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues told CBS Miami that some employers may be using the program to hire workers at below-market wages. Governor Ron DeSantis has also criticized the program, referring to many H-1B hires as “cheap labor” and suggesting that these positions could instead be filled by Florida residents or other U.S. workers.
The temporary hiring freeze has raised concerns within the academic community. Critics say it could discourage top international talent and affect Florida’s competitiveness in attracting skilled workers. Supporters, including Board of Governors Chairman Alan Levine, clarified that the pause does not impact other visa programs and is not intended to prevent hiring in positions where it is most needed.
H-1B visa holders make up a small portion of the workforce in Florida’s universities, but they play a key role in specialized areas such as medicine and research. As per the Miami Herald, the University of Florida employs approximately 250 H-1B workers, the highest number in the state university system. Governor DeSantis has questioned the need to hire foreign faculty and professionals for positions in fields including STEM and athletics.
Similar actions have included deputizing campus police to assist with federal immigration enforcement and limiting foreign student enrollment. The public has two weeks to provide comments before a final vote, during which discussions on the necessity, impact, and implications of the freeze continue.
