TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a directive to the Florida Board of Governors, the governing body for the state’s university system, to take action against the alleged misuse of H-1B visas in higher education.
The governor ordered state universities to halt the practice of hiring foreign workers on H-1B visas for university positions, demanding they prioritize the hiring of qualified American citizens instead.
Governor’s Statement and Rationale
Speaking on Wednesday, Governor DeSantis accused universities across the country of “importing foreign workers on H-1B visas” instead of hiring qualified and available Americans.
“We will not tolerate the abuse of H-1B visas in Florida’s institutions,” DeSantis stated. “That is why I have directed the Florida Board of Governors to end this practice.”
He further elaborated, “If a university is truly trying to find American citizens to fill vacant positions, they should assess their academic programs to determine why they are not producing graduates who can be hired for these roles.”
Official Demands from the Governor’s Office
A press release from the Governor’s office outlined the key demands:
- Florida institutions must prioritize American graduates for employment.
- Taxpayer-funded schools must be used to serve American workers, not to import cheaper foreign labor.
The Core of the Issue
According to the statement, while the H-1B visa program is intended for employing individuals in specialty occupations, many universities and institutions have been using it to hire foreign workers for jobs that could easily be filled by qualified Americans.
A critical point raised is that universities are exempt from the federal H-1B cap, allowing them to hire foreign workers year-round without the restrictions faced by private companies.
